Recreation #40 Preview: Jackets welcome St. Louis Blues – The Cannon

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Saturday, January 4, 2025 – 7:00 PM EST
Nationwide Enviornment – Columbus, OH
TV: FDSNOH, Radio 97.1 FM
St. Louis Blues (19-17-4, 42 factors, fifth Central, tenth West)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (16-17-6, 38 factors, fifth Metro, tenth East)
Tonight the Jackets sq. off for the primary time towards the St. Louis Blues, a group with an analogous place within the standings however within the different convention. The Blues are coming off a 4-0 win final night time and produce fan favourite Alex Texier with them.
He’s all the time the participant to look at. He leads the group in factors, tied the file for many factors by means of 39 video games in franchise historical past, leads the league in avg TOI, and is third within the league in factors per sport amongst D. The man has been unbelievable this yr.
Dean Evason wouldn’t decide to any lineup modifications earlier than the sport tonight. Questions on altering from 11/7 have been met with the response “Perhaps”. I believe we’ll see them go 12/6 however no concept which defenseman will come out. We’ll additionally doubtless see new strains 2-4.
Portzline had a bit at this time speaking concerning the lack of Tarasov we’ve seen, with a be aware that he refused the AHL conditioning stint because of harm issues. Tarasov was injured throughout his final couple of journeys to the AHL.
Chinakhov, Jenner, Danforth all skating at this time after the non-compulsory morning skate.
It’s been a reasonably thrilling season in St. Louis so far. Within the offseason they made information after they signed provide sheets to 2 Oilers gamers, Holloway and Broberg, that Edmonton couldn’t match. They employed Jim Montgomery lower than every week after he was let go in Boston. They traded for very long time Anaheim Duck Cam Fowler simply earlier than his one thousandth NHL sport performed. Reviews in December mentioned the Blues want to commerce former Jacket Brandon Saad after complaints about effort. And in any case that, this group is in an analogous standings place as Columbus and has an odd mixture of a really outdated again finish and a few good youthful forwards. Texier has been scratched 3 occasions this yr and has tallied 3-4-7, he’ll doubtless play at this time. Binnington has been a big a part of the Blues success this yr, however the Jackets will see the backup Hofer tonight.
01/04/2025 STL @ CBJ
01/11/2025 CBJ @ STL

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