Blue Jackets Look to Extend Streak Against Struggling Sharks
The red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets will aim for their sixth straight victory when they host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.
Blue Jackets Rolling in January
Columbus (8-2-0 in its last 10 games) is finding ways to win, even when not at its best. That was evident in Tuesday’s 3-2 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, in which the Blue Jackets squandered a third-period lead but responded in overtime and the shootout.
Zach Werenski led the charge with two goals, while Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko sealed the win in the shootout. Goaltender Daniil Tarasov made 23 saves in his first start since Dec. 28.
“I don’t really think we had our game tonight, fully, but we found a way to get a win,” Werenski said. “Wasn’t pretty, but found a way to get two points.”
Werenski is enjoying a career-best season, leading all NHL defensemen with 50 points in 44 games. His 17-game home point streak (12 goals, 22 assists) is the longest active streak by a defenseman in the league.
Marchenko, Columbus’ leading goal-scorer with 18 tallies, has been on a tear himself. He extended his point streak to five games (two goals, four assists) and now has 21 points in his last 15 games.
Elvis Merzlikins (15-10-3, .889 SV%, 3.12 GAA) is expected to get the start in goal for Columbus. In six career games against San Jose, he is 2-3-1 with a .901 save percentage.
The Blue Jackets will look to avenge a 2-1 overtime loss to the Sharks on Nov. 5 in San Jose.
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Sharks Hoping to Build Momentum
San Jose, last in the Pacific Division, snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Now, the Sharks will try to put together consecutive wins for just the fourth time this season.
William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli each had a goal and two assists, while Macklin Celebrini contributed to an eight-point effort from the line.
“They’re two great players that make it pretty easy for me out there,” Eklund said. “When you play with guys like that, you just try to be open.”
Eklund has been one of the Sharks’ few bright spots, notching eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last six games. Toffoli leads the team with 16 goals, while Mikael Granlund paces San Jose in both assists (25) and points (37).
Alexandar Georgiev (2-6-0, 3.56 GAA, .887 SV%) is expected to start in net. He has performed well against Columbus in his career, going 6-2-1 with a .914 save percentage.
Key Storylines
- Can Werenski Extend His Streak? The Blue Jackets’ top defenseman is on a 17-game home point streak.
- Sharks’ Offense Clicking? San Jose’s top line broke out against Detroit, but can they replicate that against a surging Columbus team?
- Goaltending Battle: Both teams have struggled in net, meaning the game could be decided by who gets more key saves.
Columbus will look to stay hot and continue climbing in the Eastern Conference standings, while San Jose hopes to string together a rare winning streak on its road trip.