The Blue Jackets have played on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, New Year's Eve and Halloween. They have skated on Columbus Day -- fitting, right? -- and Martin Luther King Day, not to mention Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.
But never in franchise history has Columbus played a game on New Year's Day before today's game at Nationwide Arena vs. Carolina . That's largely because there's usually a game on New Year's Eve, with the Blue Jackets playing on Dec. 31 every season they could before this year except for 2015.
The schedule falls as the schedule falls, though, and for the first time, there will be a Jan. 1 game for Columbus today. Considering New Year's Eve is often known for its revelry and celebration, an afternoon game on Jan. 1 could be interesting, but that's not the case for CBJ head coach Brad Larsen.
"I'll be in bed by 8:30 so it doesn't ruin my night at all," he said yesterday after practice. "I think it's perfect."
As for his team, he also didn't seem too worried.
"These guys are pros," he said. "They understand. It is what it is. Especially now with COVID and different things going on, I don't think it's much of a sacrifice this year at all."
Either way, something new is on tap for Satuday afternoon in Columbus, and there's also some good news in the offing, as forward Eric Robinson left COVID protocols and practiced with the Blue Jackets on Friday.
Also, for fans wondering about COVID protocols for those attending games in Nationwide Arena, including the need to wear masks at all times when not actively eating or drinking, click here and know before you go .
Build on the win: After knocking the rust off Thursday, can the Blue Jackets play like they did the last 20 minutes and overtime against the Predators?
Home cooking: The Blue Jackets are 10-3-1 at home, but one of those regulation losses is to Carolina. Can Columbus keep the good times going in Nationwide?
Get out of your end: Carolina tries to pressure you to the point you can't even get the puck up the ice. The Blue Jackets have to be sharp getting the puck out of their own zone.
Forwards Gustav Nyquist (600 NHL games) and Sean Kuraly (300 NHL games) are set to reach milestones in this one. It is also expected to be Nyquist's 100th game in union blue. … Alexandre Texier became the second CBJ player to 10 goals on the year with a tally Thursday vs. Nashville and has an 8-7-15 line in the last 20 games. … Jakub Voracek leads the NHL with 18 primary assists, a mark that ties him with Edmonton's Connor McDavid. … Max Domi has three goals in the last four games and a 4-2-6 line in his last seven games. He is three goals from 100 in his NHL career. ... With Robinson (126 straight games) and Oliver Bjorkstrand (84) out vs. Nashville on Thursday because of COVID protocol, the Blue Jackets played 85 games in the calendar year of 2021 and not a single player skated in all of them. … The Blue Jackets have trailed in 10 of their 15 wins this year and have an NHL-best five wins when trailing after two periods. … Columbus is 7-1 in extra time this year (4-0 in overtime, 3-1 in shootouts). … Carolina earned a 5-1 win in the first meeting between the teams Oct. 23, with Vincent Trocheck notching a 2-1-3 line to lead the way. ... Elvis Merzlikins has a 2.32 GAA and .929 save percentage in his career vs. Carolina.
Patrik Laine - Boone Jenner - Jake Voracek
Max Domi - Jack Roslovic - Emil Bemstrom
Gus Nyquist - Sean Kuraly - Alexandre Texier
Eric Robinson - Cole Sillinger - Yegor Chinakhov
Zach Werenski - Jake Bean
Vladislav Gavrikov - Adam Boqvist
Gabriel Carlsson - Andrew Peeke
Scratches/COVID-19 protocol: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Gregory Hofmann , Gavin Bayreuther, Scott Harrington , Joonas Korpisalo
Injured Reserve: Dean Kukan (wrist; eight weeks as of Oct. 26); Justin Danforth (left knee sprain; six weeks as of Dec. 31)
Taxi Squad: Josh Dunne, Tyler Sikura, Jean-Francois Berube
Roster Report: Danforth went on injured reserve Friday, with Robinson taking his spot in practice after leaving COVID protocols. Tarasov will get the start in net with Merzlikins backing up.
Jan. 1, 2004: Gerard Gallant takes over head coaching duties from Doug MacLean. He would go on to post a 16-24-4-1 record behind the bench the rest of the season.
Jan. 1, 2017: Toronto claims goaltender Curtis McElhinney on waivers, ending the netminder's tenure in Columbus after four seasons and 85 games played.
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