The Detroit Red Wings face the Columbus Blue Jackets this evening (7 PM EST on FanDuel SportsNet Detroit/FanDuel SportsNet Columbus/97.1 FM), and the Blue Jackets kicked off their morning skate at 10 AM:
When #CBJ GM Don Waddell was looking for a coach last summer, Todd McLellan and Dean Evason were on his shortlist.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 2, 2025
They meet tonight on opposing benches in Nationwide Arena. #CBJ vs. #LGRW to kick off 2025
With yesterday’s day off, it’s a full-team, windows-open morning skate for the Blue Jackets. #CBJ head coach Dean Evason getting his stretching in as the Jackets get ready to go. pic.twitter.com/v7mheP5Bmx
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 2, 2025
#CBJ full morning skate underway after having Wednesday off. Elvis Merzlikins is in the home net and projected to start against Detroit tonight.
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
Full attendance from those expected to be on the ice. None of the injured (Chinakhov, Danforth) out there.
#CBJ lines remain unchanged. We’ll see if they stick with 11-7 like they did Tuesday.
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
No major changes to the lines and pairs as #CBJ goes through morning skate.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 2, 2025
Dean Evason wouldn’t say anything except “maybe” when asked if they would go 11-7. He did say later that it’s not set yet. But all indications point to 11-7 again. Said Labanc being out “was a numbers game.” #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
Doesn't look like #CBJ planning any lineup changes tonight, with Elvis Merzlikins likely getting the net vs. the Red Wings. He's 5-2-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .924 save percentage all-time vs. Detroit.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 2, 2025
The Hockey News’s Jason Newland posted the Blue Jackets’ lines:
Dmitri Voronkov – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko
James van Riemsdyk- Adam Fantilli – Zach Aston-Reese
Kent Johnson – Cole Sillinger – Mathieu Olivier
Mikael Pyyhtiä – Sean Kuraly
Zach Werenski – Dante Fabbro
Denton Mateychuk – Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen – Damon Severson
Jack Johnson
Starter: Elvis Merzļikins
The Red Wings didn’t hit the ice at Nationwide Arena until 11:30 AM:
Red Wings are now skating an optional this morning in Columbus. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
It is Alex Lyon working in the road net for this optional. He is now projected to start against #CBJ tonight.
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
Update:
So a correction. It is Alex Lyon in the road net. But Cam Talbot is not on the ice. So let’s wait to declare anything on this one. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
Reid Robertson is the other goalie working at the optional. #CBJ https://t.co/ijtsL3f4Nd
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
Update:
Cam Talbot starts tonight for Red Wings at Columbus
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) January 2, 2025
Todd McClellan said Cam Talbot starts vs. #CBJ tonight.
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) January 2, 2025
