The 8-6-and-2 Detroit Red Wings kick off a challenging set of 4 road games in 4 different cities to be played over the course of 6 nights this week with a game against the 7-5-and-0 Columbus Blue Jackets this evening (7 PM EST start on Bally Sports Detroit Plus/Bally Sports Ohio/97.1 FM).
Columbus has lost 2 straight games for the first time this season, and they’re hoping that a short memory and a great record against Detroit of late will snap their losing streak;
The Red Wings, who recalled Joe Veleno from Grand Rapids this morning, hope to steady a shaky 3-4-and-0 road record as they prepare to play in Columbus (again, Columbus is 7-5-and-0) tonight and in Dallas (5-6-and-2) tomorrow.
The Wings will head from Columbus to Dallas after tonight’s game; they then play in Las Vegas on Thursday and Arizona on Saturday.
Our friends from Columbus hit the ice at Nationwide Arena first, just before 10:30 AM, and they’re going to be wearing their “Cannon Jerseys” tonight. Elvis Merzlikins will be wearing the following monstrosity pads this evening (Per ColumbusBlueJackets.com’s Jeff Svoboda):
Third jersey day #CBJ pic.twitter.com/FqBlxQz9aS— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 15, 2021
This is a bit of a surprise as Max Domi was in COVID protocol this past weekend…
Max Domi on the ice for #CBJ morning skate.— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 15, 2021
And here are the Blue Jackets’ morning skate lines:
#CBJ rushes this morning:
Nyquist-Jenner-Bjorkstrand
Chinakhov-Sillinger-Voracek
Robinson-Kuraly-Texier
Hofmann-Roslovic-Danforth
Werenski-Bean
Gavrikov-Peeke
Bayreuther-Boqvist
So it looks like Boqvist returns and Danforth will make his NHL debut. Domi/Bemstrom also skating.— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 15, 2021
Boqvist was out with a “lower-body injury,” and Justin Danforth is a 5’8″ winger who lit the Finnish Liiga up before posting a point per game in the KHL last season.
The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline also said, “Hello”…
#CBJ anticipated lines / pairs vs #DRW:
Chinakhov – Sillinger – Voracek
Nyquist – Jenner – Bjorkstrand
Robinson – Kuraly – Texier
Hofmann – Roslovic – Danforth
Werenski – Bean
Gavrikov – Peeke
Bayreuther – Boqvist
Merzlikins will start.— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 15, 2021
As did the Columbus Dispatch’s Bailey A. Johnson:
Lines this morning:
Nyquist-Jenner-Bjorkstrand
Chinakhov-Sillinger-Voracek
Robinson-Kuraly-Texier
Hofmann-Roslovic-Danforth
Werenski-Bean
Gavrikov-Peeke
Bayreuther-Boqvist
Stenlund, Domi and Bemstrom also skating. looks like danforth will make his NHL debut tonight— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) November 15, 2021
After the Blue Jackets’ skate…
#CBJ head coach Brad Larsen confirms F Justin Danforth to make his NHL debut, D Adam Boqvist returns tonight vs. the Wings. Stenlund, Carlsson out. Tonight’s goalie: Elvis Merzlikins.— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 15, 2021
Does Brad Larsen like Elvis’ baby blue pads? He laughs and says, “I’ll tell you after the game.” #CBJ— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 15, 2021
Brad Larsen said Max Domi skated yesterday as well as in morning skate today, but he’s not sure when Domi will be ready to go in a game after returning from COVID protocols. “Everybody reacts differently,” Larsen noted. #CBJ— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 15, 2021
Ugh…Ly.
Blue pads = confirmed ? https://t.co/DrtDcG5TOA pic.twitter.com/ML8flIT4Ic— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 15, 2021
This is no surprise given Boqvist has struggled since being traded from Chicago…
#CBJ Brad Larsen said he wants Adam Boqvist to focus on being competitive on both sides of the puck.
Confirms that 28-year-old Justin Danforth will make his #NHL debut tonight.— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 15, 2021
The Red Wing hit the ice around 11:30 AM for their morning skate, per The Athletic’s Max Bultman…
Fabbri repping on the right flank of PP1 today— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) November 15, 2021
Zadina in that spot on PP2, with Leddy up top, Hronek left flank Gagner net Suter bumper— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) November 15, 2021
Yeah, no promotion for Veleno…
Veleno skating with Gagner and Rowney this morning— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) November 15, 2021
The Red Wings also said, “Hello”…
Good morning from Columbus! #RedWings, Blue Jackets tonight at 7.
? : https://t.co/a1ZFiGyALB pic.twitter.com/cEdNO4iPbm— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 15, 2021
While the Blue Jackets posted a .gif of their probable lineup:
Return of the King (Adam Boqvist)@BlueTech_Inc | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/wHGxHczKXK— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 15, 2021
