[9:00 PM] Blue Jackets @ Flames

Who will WIN this matchup?

Columbus Blue Jackets (18-5-4)

@ Calgary Flames (16-14-2)

 

Starting Goalies:

Sergei Bobrovsky(CBJ): Unconfirmed

Chad Johnson(CGY): Confirmed

 

• The Columbus Blue Jackets have matched a franchise record with seven wins in a row and secured at least a point in 14 of their last 15 contests (12-1-2) to highlight the best start in team’s history. The Blue Jackets look to avenge their lone regulation misstep in that stretch on Friday when they visit the Calgary Flames, who saw journeyman Chad Johnson make 34 saves in a 2-0 triumph on Nov. 23.

• Sam Gagner has paid immediate dividends since signing with Columbus as a free agent in August. The 27-year-old, who was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week on Monday, followed up with his team-leading 12th goal the next day to raise his point total to eight (four goals, four assists) in his last four outings. Fellow forward Cam Atkinson, who leads the team with 17 assists and 28 points, added the game-winning tally against the Oilers for his seventh point (three goals, four assists) in his last four contests.

• Troy Brouwer and Micheal Ferland each scored in the first meeting between the clubs and also tallied against the Lightning. Fellow forward Sean Monahan notched an assist versus Tampa Bay to extend his career-best point streak to eight contests (four goals, six assists), the second-longest active streak in the league behind Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby (nine games). The 22-year-old Monahan’s run of success has coincided with the return of Johnny Gaudreau, as the former was held off the scoresheet in each of his previous five contests.

• Columbus is 5-for-15 on the power play over the last four games after a dismal 1-for-19 stretch in the previous seven.

• Brouwer has two goals and four assists in his last seven contests.

• Blue Jackets C Alexander Wennberg has recorded three power-play points – all assists – in his last four games.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Calgary Flames

Confidence: 4/10

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