CBJ Gameday Guide: Oct. 21 vs. New York Islanders

For the first time this season, the Blue Jackets have a chance to respond from adversity, and head coach Brad Larsen thinks they can get it done.
Coming off a 4-1 loss to Detroit that saw a disheveled Columbus team lose for the first time this season, the Blue Jackets will be back on the ice tonight when they
welcome the Metro rival New York Islanders
to Nationwide Arena.
"You want a response," Larsen said pregame. "We didn't have our legs (in Detroit) and everybody felt it, all the players. Who knows why? We've talked about it, we've moved by it, we've addressed it, we've done our video, we've given them some things we think can help them, and I expect a better game tonight."

It should be a challenge, considering the Islanders have made it to the final four of the NHL's postseason each of the past two seasons. It's also a familiar foe, as despite the fact New York was in a different division last year, many of the names are the same and the fast, aggressive style the team has become known for hasn't gone anywhere.

The challenge, though, is one the Jackets are ready to take on.
"You just kind of forget about (Tuesday's loss) and move on," forward Gus Nyquist said. "The good thing about this league is you get a chance to play pretty fast, a lot of games, and get ready for (tonight)."

3 Keys to the Game

Get on the same page: Columbus had some issues in just about every part of its game Tuesday, but the biggest concern might have been the lack of chemistry. Passes simply weren't linking up, but the Jackets just need to keep it simple and play with energy.
Handle the pressure: Just about every game against the Islanders seems to come down to the end thanks to the tight-checking style Barry Trotz's team plays. Columbus got the win in that style of game Saturday vs. Seattle, and this should be a similar battle.
More good goaltending: The Jackets' two goalies have combined to post a .950 save percentage through three games this year. That's probably unsustainable, but that kind of showing from the netminders will keep Columbus in a lot of games.

Notable

With an assist on Tuesday, Jakub Voracek is now two helpers away from 100 in union blue, while Oliver Bjorkstrand is four from the mark. … The Blue Jackets' 42.9-percent success rate (3 for 7) on the power play ranks tied for third in the NHL. … Nine different Blue Jackets have a goal in the first three games. … Columbus had the youngest opening roster in the NHL at an average of 25.71 years old. … The game starts a three-game homestand for the Jackets, with games to follow Saturday (Carolina) and Monday (Dallas). … There are no former Blue Jackets on the Islanders roster. … The teams did not play last year as they were in separate divisions. Columbus went 1-1-1 against the Islanders in 2019-20, with the last game a 3-2 victory on Dec. 23, 2019, in Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Vladislav Gavrikov scored the game-winning goal with 3:29 to go. … Columbus is 5-1-1 in the last seven vs. New York in Nationwide Arena. … The Jackets will try to go to 3-0-0 in Nationwide Arena to start a season for the third time ever. … This is the first game against a Metro team this year. … While the new UBS Arena at Belmont Park is being completed, the Islanders are on a 13-game road trip to start the year. ... Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin is expected to play against the CBJ for the first time in his career.

Projected Lineup

(Subject to change)
Patrik Laine - Boone Jenner - Jakub Voracek
Gustav Nyquist - Jack Roslovic - Yegor Chinakhov
Alexandre Texier - Cole Sillinger - Oliver Bjorkstrand
Eric Robinson - Sean Kuraly - Gregory Hofmann
Zach Werenski - Jake Bean
Vladislav Gavrikov - Adam Boqvist
Scott Harrington - Andrew Peeke
Elvis Merzlikins (confirmed starter)
Joonas Korpisalo
Scratches: Justin Danforth, Dean Kukan, Gabriel Carlsson
Injured Reserve: Emil Bemstrom (oblique; four to six weeks as of Oct. 14); Max Domi (rib; two to four weeks as of Oct. 18)
Roster Report:Larsen said there will be no changes to the skater lineup -- Carlsson isn't expected to go but was recalled with AHL Cleveland heading to Canada for the weekend, while Werenski will play after missing practice Wednesday -- while Merzlikins will return to the net.

This Day in CBJ History

Oct. 21, 2015: John Tortorella was named head coach of the team after Todd Richards was relieved of his duties. The seventh full-time coach in CBJ history, he would go on to lead the club to a 34-33-8 record the rest of the season, then four consecutive playoff bids from 2017-20.
Oct. 21, 2019: Gus Nyquist became the first player in Blue Jackets history to score the overtime winner via penalty shot in a 4-3 come-from-behind victory at Toronto.