3:10 pm
March 28

Blue Jackets @ Red Wings

Who will WIN this matchup?

Columbus Blue Jackets (13-14-8)

@ Detroit Red Wings (11-20-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ): Unconfirmed

Thomas Greiss (DET): Unconfirmed

 

Current odds:

Columbus Blue Jackets: (-165)

Detroit Red Wings: (+145)

 

• The Detroit Red Wings had a spirited practice and then played a spirited game. They’ll look to make it two straight at home over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday afternoon. Detroit snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory on Saturday. The Red Wings had mustered just one goal during the slide, and that goal came in a 7-1 thrashing by the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said his team was “embarrassed” by the six-goal loss and came into practice on Friday eager to turn things around.

• Pickard delivered a workman-like effort in his first start this season, making 21 saves while notching his first victory in more than two years. His last win came on Nov. 23, 2018, against the New York Rangers when he played for Philadelphia. Pickard has served as the team’s third goaltender all season and made only two relief appearances prior to Saturday. He may have earned back-to-back starts.

• Detroit’s stagnant offense showed signs of life from the start, as it outshot Columbus 16-5 in the first period and grabbed a 2-0 lead. Adam Erne and Robby Fabbri scored 29 seconds apart. Anthony Mantha scored in the third period. As with Fabbri’s goal, captain Dylan Larkin made the pass to set up the tally. Fabbri has scored six goals over the last eight games. He now leads the team with 10 goals. The first line of Larkin, Fabbri and Filip Zadina generated 13 shots on goal during the game.

• Captain Nick Foligno scored the lone goal on Saturday for Columbus, which has dropped three straight games.

• Columbus was starting a six-game road trip. With two games apiece against Central Division leader Tampa Bay, followed by a pair against Florida, the game on Sunday takes on added importance.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Columbus Blue Jackets
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