Nashville Predators
Dante Fabbro could debut for the Predators tonight after taking warmups last night in Pittsburgh but not dressing for the game. Rem Pitlick was also a healthy scratch.
Pekka Rinne picked up another win yesterday evening…his first in PPG Paints Arena. Viktor Arvidsson scored his 32nd goal of the season and 100th of his career. Craig Smith grabbed his 20th goal of the season again and P.K. Subban added another.
Matt Irwin notched an assist on Craig Smith’s goal last night. Irwin was laying out hits and shooting pucks like a defenseman who knows that his role is in jeopardy. Will we see Matt Irwin with Yannick Weber again tonight?
Troy Grosenick was recalled from Milwaukee because Juuse Saros is ill. Saros did skate Friday morning in Pittsburgh, but there’s no clear indication of which goaltender will start tonight for Nashville.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are flirting with a wild card position after going all-in at the trade deadline. Keeping Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, two free agents who will command a massive payday in the summer, was a bold move for the Jackets. They also picked up Adam McQuaid, Matt Duchene, and Ryan Dzingel.
The Blue Jackets walked all over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday evening. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored two goals for Columbus. He has 30 points on the season (11 goals, 19 assists). Artemi Panarin leads the team in points with 79 (27 goals, 52 assists). He’s followed by speedy winger Cam Atkinson with 66 points (39 goals, 27 assists) and rookie center Pierre-Luc Dubois with 56 points (24 goals, 32 assists).
Seth Jones leads Columbus defenders in points with 44 (9 goals, 35 assists). Fellow blueliner Zach Werenski has 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists).
Sergei Bobrovsky has a .912 Sv% over 57 games. Backup Joonas Korpisalo has a .898 SV% in 25 games.
Memories and Feelings
- Remember when Columbus GM Jarmo Kekäläinen went all-in at the trade deadline? Me too.
- Hi, Seth Jones.
- Columbus is my flight instructor’s favorite team…we troll each other all season long. Give me more troll fodder, please. /
Reasons to Watch
- I’m not sure what else you’re going to do on a Saturday in late March. Figure it out.
- Two more points for the boys? Let’s make it happen!
- Artemi Panarin is fun to watch. You can spend time tonight making bets with your friends about Panarin’s destination next season. /
Jackets Social Media
- @BlueJacketsNHL
- @JacketsCannon: Columbus’s SB Nation site is Jackets Cannon. /
Tonight’s Theme Song
“Time” by Pink Floyd.
Tonight’s Drink of Choice
I’m sipping on some Southern Rose from Del Monaco Winery (Baxter, TN).
How to Watch
Puck drop is at 7:00 Central. You can catch the game on FS-TN. 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.