Date: January 31, 2025

Time: 9:00 PM EST

Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah

 

Recent Performance

Columbus Blue Jackets (25-19-7): The Blue Jackets are coming off a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on January 30th. Cole Sillinger netted the game winner, capitalizing on a rebound from a Zach Werenski shot. This win propelled Columbus into the final Eastern Conference wild card spot as of today. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins was solid between the pipes, recording 25 saves.

 

Utah Hockey Club (21-22-7): Utah is looking to rebound after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite the setback, the team has shown resilience and competitiveness in recent matchups. Playing on home ice at the Delta Center, they aim to leverage home advantage to get back on track.

 

Team Records and Trends

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Overall Record: 25-19-7
• Road Record: 8-14-4
• Power Play: 22.4% (14th in the NHL)
• Penalty Kill: 75% (26th in the NHL)
• Last 10 Games: 7-2-1

The Blue Jackets have demonstrated resilience, with a balanced offensive attack and solid goaltending. Their recent victories over two strong teams in LA and Vegas, this highlights their potential to perform under pressure.

 

Utah Hockey Club

• Overall Record: 21-22-7
• Home Record: 8-11-5
• Power Play: 22.5% (13th in the NHL)
• Penalty Kill: 81.8 (8th in the NHL)
• Last 10 Games: 4-5-1

Utah has faced challenges this season but remains a formidable opponent, they’ve struggled more on home ice than on the road this season. Their power play and penalty kill efficiency are notable strengths, and they’ll look to capitalize on special teams opportunities to end this 3 game losing streak.

 

Key Players to Watch

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Adam Fantilli: The 20 year old center has been a standout performer for the Blue Jackets this season. Fantilli has recorded 15 goals and 14 assists over 49 games, totaling 29 points. Notably, he achieved his first NHL hat trick on January 22, 2025, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a game played in his hometown with numerous family and friends in attendance.
• Zach Werenski: A pivotal defenseman, Werenski’s offensive contributions and defensive stability make him a cornerstone of the Blue Jackets’ lineup. In the last 5 games he recorded 4 points.

Utah Hockey Club

• Clayton Keller: Serving as the team’s captain, Keller leads Utah with 18 goals and 36 assists, totaling 54 points over 49 games. His dynamic offensive skills and leadership make him a central figure in the team’s performance.
• Barrett Hayton: Hayton has been a significant contributor to the Utah offense this season. He has recorded 12 goals, bringing his career total to 47 goals. In the last 5 games he’s picked up 4 goals and 2 assists.

 

Injury Report

Columbus Blue Jackets: No significant injuries reported.

 

Utah Hockey Club
Logan Cooley – Sidelined indefinitely with a lower body injury – Out

 

Goaltending Matchup

Columbus Blue Jackets

Daniil Tarasov: Projected to start tonight, the 25 year old netminder has shown some struggles so far this season, posting a 4-7-2 record with a goals-against average of 3.83 and a save percentage of .871 through his 13 games. Tarasov’s performance in net will be crucial as Columbus looks to maintain their playoff push.

 

Utah Hockey Club

Karel Vejmelka: Confirmed in net tonight, Vejmelka has been a reliable starter for Utah, boasting a 11-14-3 in 30 games with a goals against average of 2.47 and a save percentage of .912 this season. His ability to make timely saves and manage high-pressure situations will be vital against the Blue Jackets offense.

 

Game Outlook

This marks the first-ever meeting between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Utah Hockey Club. Columbus enters the game with momentum from their recent overtime victory, while Utah seeks to leverage home ice to rebound from their recent overtime loss. Special teams could be a deciding factor, with both teams boasting effective power plays. Expect a competitive matchup as both teams vie for crucial points.

 

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