Blue Jackets Aim for Victory Against Canucks at Home

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Blue Jackets Aim for Victory Against Canucks at Home

The Columbus Blue Jackets are gearing up for a crucial matchup against the Vancouver Canucks at Nationwide Arena. This game holds significance as the Blue Jackets look to improve their standings in the league.

Current Roster Conditions and Player Status

The team is facing several injuries as they prepare for this game. Key players out include:

Zach Aston-Reese
Denton Mateychuk (upper body injury)
Dysin Mayo
Egor Zamula

On injured reserve, the Blue Jackets have:

F Mason Marchment (upper body injury, week-to-week)
F Miles Wood (lower body injury, week-to-week)
D Erik Gudbranson (upper body injury, returned to practice)
F Isac Lundeström (lower body injury, week-to-week)
D Brendan Smith (knee surgery, out three to four months from January 8)

Notably, Gudbranson is expected to participate in his first game since October 25. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will be starting in net for the Blue Jackets.

This Day in Blue Jackets History

The date January 15 holds notable memories for the franchise. On this day:

In 2001, Ron Tugnutt achieved the first shutout in franchise history with a 3-0 win against Minnesota.
In 2019, John Tortorella became the longest-tenured coach in Blue Jackets history with a victory over New Jersey.
In 2024, the Blue Jackets bested the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in a memorable shootout.

Blue Jackets Performance Insights

Defenseman Zach Werenski continues to shine, having accumulated points in 11 out of his last 12 games. His recent performance numbers include:

11 goals and 29 points over his last 15 home games
First among NHL defensemen in goals (17)
Second in points (50)

Meanwhile, Kirill Marchenko has also been a consistent contributor with points in nine of his last 11 games.

Understanding the Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks are facing challenges this season. They currently rank last in the league with only 37 points. Their current stats include:

Goals per game: 2.63 (27th)
Scoring defense: 3.59 (31st)
Power play percentage: 19.6% (16th)
Penalty kill percentage: 73.1% (30th)

Under new head coach Adam Foote, the team made a significant roster change when they traded defenseman Quinn Hughes in December. This move indicates a shift towards prioritizing future success over immediate results.

Injury Updates for the Canucks

Vancouver’s lineup has also been affected by injuries, with notable absences including star goalie Thatcher Demko and forward Kiefer Sherwood. The team has struggled recently, going 1-8-2 since the Hughes trade.

Matchup Expectations

While the Blue Jackets have a solid home record against the Canucks, Columbus hopes to continue their winning streak at home. Their last game against Vancouver in November resulted in a 4-3 loss, marking five consecutive road losses in this series.

This upcoming game presents a vital opportunity for the Blue Jackets to secure a win against the Canucks. Both teams are battling injuries, making this an unpredictable but compelling matchup.