Although the Columbus Blue Jackets played well at times in a loss Thursday night to the Boston Bruins, they were only able to score twice against Joonas Korpisalo. Given the stakes of each game down the stretch, coach Rick Bowness has to consider all his options when formulating his lineup.
Saturday night against the New York Islanders, Bowness elected to make a notable change. He has chosen to make Kent Johnson a healthy scratch. Danton Heinen will enter the lineup in his place.
This is not a case of roster management or anything like that with just six days until the NHL Trade Deadline. This is simply a case of needing more not only from Johnson, but everyone on the second line.
The Blue Jackets first, third and fourth lines have been the most consistent throughout the season. It’s their second line that they have yet to get consistency from.
The second line on Saturday night will be Heinen on the right with Sean Monahan at center and Boone Jenner on the left. Dmitri Voronkov will play on the left side of the fourth line with Isac Lundestrom in the middle and Miles Wood to the right.
Bowness and Monahan each spoke about the situation knowing much more is needed at this point in time.
Bowness’ Rationale
Did Johnson do anything egregiously wrong on Thursday night? No. But when the line needs more offense, something has to give.
Bowness explained his thinking in making Johnson a healthy scratch.
“I wouldn’t make that decision based on just that one game,” Bowness said. “I like the looks of the other two lines. The Monahan line isn’t generating enough offense. It’s as simple as that. We’re trying to get all the lines going. Charlie (Coyle’s) line has been outstanding. (Adam Fantilli’s) line got both goals last game. We need a little bit more offense from Monahan’s line. So I’ll put Boone back up there. He’s skating better now so we’ll see how that looks.”
Bowness even had trouble scratching Heinen Thursday night. Here’s what the coach said about getting Heinen back in.
“He’s been playing great hockey for us,” Bowness said. “And I told him that ‘You’re not playing your way out of the lineup.’ He’ll be ready to go tonight.”
Kent Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Saturday. (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
Bowness talks to all of his players especially when there is the potential of a healthy scratch. He spoke to Johnson about it and what he wants to see moving forward.
“I had a good meeting with (Johnson) today,” Bowness said. “He’s got to understand that, I know he scored those goals last year. I was looking at them yesterday and said ‘Look, I haven’t seen that.’ In fairness in the 12 games that’s I’ve been here, I haven’t seen. I need to see that. But I showed him the couple other things he’s got to improve on.”
“Listen, he’s a big part of the future of the team. This isn’t we’re going to sit you out for the next month. Take a look at the game. Sometimes there’s a little bit more room out there than you realize when you’re on the ice, the pace of the game. We’re not down on you. We got to make some changes. Again, it goes back to getting some more offense out of that third line. The fourth line, they’re doing their job. They’re checking. They’re penalty killers and that’s not what he does. So we’ll get him back in there.”
Monahan With New Linemates
Monahan skated with Voronkov and Johnson Thursday night in Boston. As stated above, he will have two new linemates Saturday night. He knows that they’ve got to get things going.
“We got to get going,” Monahan said. “It’s important for us to be a big part of it and that’s something we got to do. I don’t think we’ve been good enough. When you mix it up, it’s time to step up. That’s something we’re looking forward to doing tonight.”
Here are how the Blue Jackets lined up at the morning skate in advance of their game against the Islanders.
- Mason Marchment – Adam Fantilli – Kirill Marchenko
- Boone Jenner – Sean Monahan – Danton Heinen
- Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier
- Dmitri Voronkov – Isac Lundestrom – Miles Wood
- Zach Werenski – Damon Severson
- Ivan Provorov – Denton Mateychuk
- Dante Fabbro – Erik Gudbranson
- Jet Greaves starts. Elvis Merzlikins backs up.
No matter who is playing on that second line, more production is needed. It isn’t any more complicated than that.
