The Columbus Blue Jackets finished an exciting week of hockey with one win and one overtime loss. They took down Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs but lost in overtime against Filip Forsberg and the Nashville Predators.
There’s been better news about injuries lately. Some players may have the chance to return earlier than expected, and no new names have been added to the IR list!
Social media has been buzzing with trade offer rumors, with some suggesting that the Utah Hockey Club could be eyeing CBJ defenseman Ivan Provorov.
CBJ vs. TOR
On Tuesday, October 22, the Toronto Maple Leafs flew into town to play the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Leafs were on a back-to-back game as they had played the Tampa Bay Lightning the night before. The Blue Jackets were coming off a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild the previous Saturday.
The Jackets started the scoring early. Around five minutes into the game, James van Riemsdyk scored a backhanded goal after Ivan Provorov sent the puck bouncing around the front of the net. That’s JVR’s second goal of the season. Justin Danforth scored his first goal of the season when he caught a cross-ice pass from Zach Werenski and sent a wrist shot flying past Toronto goalkeeper Dennis Hildeby. Finally, Matthieu Olivier scored around 13 minutes into the period with a snap shot after a quick breakaway.
The Blue Jackets barely gave the cannon a break as they racked up two more goals in the second period. Sean Monahan scored his third goal of the season, as did Oliver. Toronto’s Matthew Knies was the first to score for the Leafs. With a minute left in the period, he was able to turn and shoot a wrist shot past Blue Jacket’s goalie Daniil Tarasov. The period ended with the Blue Jackets leading 5-1.
Both goals in the third period happened just over a minute apart. First, at 12 minutes in, Kirill Marchenko sent a shot into the top right corner of the goal. Nicholas Robertson was quick to answer back for the Leafs with a backhand shot at 13 minutes. Jack Johnson received a penalty for tripping with just over a minute left in the period, but Toronto couldn’t come up with any more goals. The Blue Jackets won 6-2.
CBJ @ NSH
On Saturday, October 26 the Blue Jackets took on the Predators in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. Another night, another high-scoring game. The Blue Jackets struck first in the second period but couldn’t secure the win in overtime.
The first period remained scoreless, though not for lack of effort. After one, the Blue Jackets led in shots on goal 8-6.
Marchenko started the scoring off for the Blue Jackets four minutes into the second period. Zach Aston-Reese scored his second goal of the season just three minutes later. Filip Forsberg answered back for Nashville halfway through the period. The period ended with the Blue Jackets leading 2-1.
Nashville seemed to find the answer right away when Cole Smith tied the game 2-2 just 26 seconds into the final period. Werenski scored three minutes later, but Alexandre Carrier quickly tied it back up 3-3 in the minute after that.
Just under two minutes into overtime, Jonathan Marchessault scored the game-winning goal for the Nashville Predators, winning 4-3.
Injuries
Three weeks ago, forward Dmitri Voronkov was placed on IR due to an upper-body injury sustained in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Originally slated to return towards the end of November, he may be back before then. Last Friday, he was seen practicing and doing drills with the team.
Head coach Dean Evason said, “He didn’t do any of the [defensive] zone, contact drills, but it’s a positive that he’s in practice and he’s able to get up and down the ice with the guys,”
There is also some positive news about young forward Kent Johnson. It’s now known that he will avoid having surgery on his injured left shoulder. He may have a lengthy recovery time, but with rehabilitation, he should be able to fully heal.
Provorov Trade Rumors
According to TSN’s Pierre Lebrun, several teams have asked about the availability of defenseman Ivan Provorov. One of the more prominent teams mentioned is the Utah Hockey Club.
“Provorov is going to be in high demand closer to [the] March 7th trade deadline,” LeBrun said. “My sense though, is that the Blue Jackets may not be ready at this point to deal him.”
Provorov is in the final year of a six-year contract worth $40.5 million with a cap hit of $4.73 million. 30% of his original contract is retained by the Los Angeles Kings. While Provorov might be a prime candidate, a trade may come later rather than sooner.
Don Waddell has already made some big moves before and at the start of the season. The Blue Jackets don’t need to be in a hurry to move Provorov, as his value could grow toward the trade deadline. Unless the perfect offer is laid on Waddell’s desk, he may bide his time until the moment is right.
The Blue Jackets’ next game is Monday, October 28, at home against the Edmonton Oilers.
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