[8:00 PM] Blue Jackets @ Coyotes

Who will WIN this matchup?

Columbus Blue Jackets (13-5-4)

@ Arizona Coyotes (8-11-3)

 

Starting Goalies:

Sergei Bobrovsky(CBJ): Unconfirmed

Mike Smith (ARI): Confirmed

 

• The streaking Columbus Blue Jackets are within striking distance of first place in the Metropolitan Division as they prepare to kick off a home-and-home series against the team with the fewest wins in the league. The Blue Jackets pay a visit to the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday before hosting the Pacific Division cellar dwellers in Monday’s rematch.

• While Columbus has been on a roll, the same cannot be said of Boone Jenner, who has been mired in a slump after his breakout 30-goal campaign last season. Jenner scored just his third goal of the season at Colorado, delivering the game-winning tally with just over 11 minutes to play.

• Arizona also received a welcome offensive boost when Martin Hanzal scored a pair of power-play goals in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Los Angeles — matching his total from his previous 15 games. Tobias Rieder also scored — his fourth goal in nine games — and drew praise from coach Dave Tippett.

• Blue Jackets F Brandon Saad has seven points in his last seven games.

• Coyotes G Mike Smith is 6-5-2 with a 2.39 goals-against average versus the Blue Jackets.

• Columbus needs two wins to reach 500.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets

Confidence: 5/10

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