The Columbus Blue Jackets are gearing up to face the Colorado Avalanche today at 4 PM Eastern time in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The Blue Jackets, currently holding 43 points, are looking to improve their standings against the much higher-rated Avalanche, who come into the game with 71 points.
For the Blue Jackets, the projected lineup includes forwards Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli, and Kirill Marchenko, while the line featuring Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, and Mathieu Olivier aims to create offensive opportunities. On defense, Zach Werenski will pair with Denton Mateychuk, while Elvis Merzlikins gets the nod as the starting goaltender. However, the team is facing challenges due to several injuries. Erik Gudbranson is out with an upper body injury, having missed 35 games and is expected to practice towards the end of the current road trip, although there is no firm timeline for his return. Additional players on the injured list include Isac Lundeström, Brendan Smith, Miles Wood, and Mason Marchment.
As for broadcasting, fans can catch the game on FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK with Steve Mears providing play-by-play commentary. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, featuring Bob McElligott as the voice of the play-by-play.
With a total of 105 man games lost to injuries, the Blue Jackets have had to navigate a challenging season. Nonetheless, fans are eager to see how the team copes with these setbacks and whether they can pull off a victory against a formidable opponent in the Avalanche. The matchup not only holds significance in terms of points but also serves as an opportunity for the Blue Jackets to come together and showcase their resilience on the ice.