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)
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Columbus Blue Jackets (16-17-6, 38 factors, fifth Metro, tenth East)
Tonight the Jackets sq. off for the primary time in opposition to the St. Louis Blues, a group with an identical place within the standings however within the different convention. The Blues are coming off a 4-0 win final evening and convey fan favourite Alex Texier with them.
He’s at all times the participant to look at. He leads the group in factors, tied the document for many factors by 39 video games in franchise historical past, leads the league in avg TOI, and is third within the league in factors per recreation amongst D. The man has been incredible 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 “Possibly”. I feel we’ll see them go 12/6 however no thought which defenseman will come out. We’ll additionally doubtless see new traces 2-4.
Portzline had a chunk at present speaking in regards to the lack of Tarasov we’ve seen, with a word that he refused the AHL conditioning stint resulting from damage considerations. Tarasov was injured throughout his final couple of journeys to the AHL.
Chinakhov, Jenner, Danforth all skating at present after the optionally available morning skate.
It’s been a reasonably thrilling season in St. Louis to date. 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 per 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 recreation performed. Studies in December mentioned the Blues want to commerce former Jacket Brandon Saad after complaints about effort. And in spite of everything that, this group is in an identical standings place as Columbus and has an odd mixture of a really outdated again finish and a few good youthful forwards.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 instances this yr and has tallied 3-4-7, he’ll doubtless play at present. 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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