Golden Knights at Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets hope the comforts of Nationwide Arena will pay dividends as they open a season high-tying four-game homestand versus the expansion Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets, who salvaged the finale of their three-game trek by doubling up San Jose on Sunday, head back to Buckeye State where they own a 3-1-1 mark in their last five home contests.
Artemi Panarin scored twice in a 4-2 win over the Sharks to increase his point total to nine (five goals, four assists) in his past eight games for the Blue Jackets, who are clinging to a one-point lead over Florida for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The former Calder Trophy winner notched an assist and Matt Calvert scored a goal in Columbus' 6-3 setback in Vegas on Jan. 23, with the latter carrying a three-game assist streak into Tuesday's tilt. Former Blue Jacket William Karlsson failed to dent the scoresheet for just the second time in 14 outings in Sunday's 3-2 victory over New Jersey, but he's ready to rebound on Tuesday when he visits the city that he called home for parts of three NHL seasons. "I enjoyed my time here and I'm looking forward to the game. It should be fun," said the 25-year-old Swede, who netted two of his team-leading 35 goals in the first encounter with Columbus.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet-Rocky Mountains (Vegas), FS Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (42-18-5): Former Blue Jacket Jonathan Marchessault has recorded 17 (four goals, 13 assists) of his club-best 65 points in his past 14 games overall and joined fellow forward David Perron with two assists in the first meeting against Columbus. The 29-year-old Perron has 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in his past 22 games and pushed his career-high total to 59 by scoring and setting up a goal on Sunday. Marc-Andre Fleury, who is boasting career-best statistics in goals-against average (2.24) and save percentage (.928), turned aside 29 shots in the first tilt versus the Blue Jackets to improve his mark to 9-4-2 against the franchise.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (33-28-5): Captain Nick Foligno likes what he sees out of his new line with rookie Sonny Milano and second-year forward Oliver Bjorkstrand. "They're just so talented and create so much," Foligno said. "I'm learning a lot from them too, and I hope they're learning from me, with some of the things we need to do to manage games." Foligno scored versus San Jose, Milano has two goals in his last three games while Bjorkstrand has three assists in his last two.
OVERTIME
1. Vegas' seventh-ranked power play has scored at least one goal in 16 of its last 20 outings, but Columbus' penalty kill has thwarted 22 of their last 25 short-handed situations over the last 10 games.
2. C Mark Letestu resides one point shy of 100 during his two stints with Columbus.
3. Golden Knights RW Reilly Smith is two goals shy of 100 and one assist short of 150 for his career.