Columbus Blue Jackets Clash with Edmonton Oilers: Can Underdogs Upset the Points Leaders?
Tonight, the Nationwide Arena lights blaze bright as the Columbus Blue Jackets gear up to confront the Edmonton Oilers on home ice. You can almost taste the intensity — it’s not just another game; it’s a battle simmering with a fierce desire for payback. Historically, the Blue Jackets have held their own when facing Edmonton at home, boasting a solid record that speaks volumes about their grit and tenacity. Yet, the stakes rise with Edmonton fresh off a gruelling overtime battle in Philadelphia just last night, a factor that might just tilt the scales in Columbus’ favor, provided fatigue does its quiet work. But there’s a shadow looming over the lineup: Boone Jenner, the Jackets’ captain, is sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained in a recent clash against Seattle, leaving his status hanging in uncertainty and the team’s depth tested further by fresh call-ups from the minors. Sitting 8th in the Metropolitan Division and 26th league-wide, Columbus knows tonight isn’t just about points—it’s about sending a message. Want the full scoop and deeper analysis?
The Columbus Blue Jackets are at home tonight to face the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets will have one thing on their mind tonight – Revenge. The good news for Columbus is that they have played Edmonton very tough at home in their history, going 18-13-3-1 inside the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena. The other good news is that Edmonton played last night in Philadelphia and had to go to overtime, so hopefully they’re nice and worn out.
The bad news? The Jackets lost their Captain, Boone Jenner, to an upper-body injury against Seattle on Tuesday night, and his status is uncertain. The fact that the PR team announced that he wouldn’t return just a few minutes after he left the game is not a good sign. The Cleveland Monsters also called up forward Chongmin Lee from the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison on Wednesday night, which means the CBJ might call up an extra forward before tonight’s game.
The Blue Jackets currently sit 8th in the Metro, 14th in the East, and 26th in the league.
Blue Jackets Stats
- Power Play – 15.0% – 29th in NHL
- Penalty Kill – 72.7% – 27th in NHL
- Goals For – 48 – 20th in NHL
- Goals Against – 51 – 21st in NHL
Oilers Stats
- Power Play – 32.6% – 3rd in NHL
- Penalty Kill – 82.6% – 9th in NHL
- Goals For – 54 – 13th in NHL
- Goals Against – 60 – 26th in NHL
Series History vs. Oilers
- Columbus is 27-37-3-3 all-time, and 18-13-3-1 at home vs. Edmonton.
- The Jackets are 5-2-1 in the last 8 games against the Oilers.
- The CBJ went 1-1 vs. the Oilers last season.
Who To Watch For The Oilers
- Connor McDavid leads the Oilers with 17 assists and 24 points. He also has 36 points in 19 career games vs. Columbus.
- Leon Draisaitl leads Edmonton with 10 goals.
- Calvin Pickard is 5-2-2 with a SV% of .836.
CBJ Player Notes vs. Oilers
- Zach Werenski has 9 points in 13 games against the Oilers.
- Sean Monahan has 28 points in 46 games.
- Adam Fantilli has 5 points in 4 games against Edmonton
Injuries – Gudbranson on IR
- Erik Gudbranson – Upper Body – Missed 8 games – IR
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 20
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight’s game will be on ESPN+ & HULU. John Buccigross will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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