Okay, I will create a news article about the projected lineups for the Blue Jackets vs. Jets game on November 18, 2025.
Blue Jackets and Jets Prepare for Tonight's Showdown
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to face off against the Winnipeg Jets tonight, November 18, 2025, at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, with the game broadcast on TSN3 and FDSNOH. This marks the 37th all-time meeting between the two clubs, with each team holding 18 wins, making this a pivotal matchup.
Blue Jackets' Projected Lineup
Following a 4-3 shootout victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday, the Blue Jackets did not hold a morning skate. Based on recent information, the projected lineup for Columbus is as follows:
- Forwards: Miles Wood – Sean Monahan – Kent Johnson, Dmitri Voronkov – Adam Fantilli – Kirill Marchenko, Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier, Zach Aston-Reese – Isac Lundestrom – Luca Del Bel Belluz.
- Defensemen: Zach Werenski – Ivan Provorov, Denton Mateychuk – Damon Severson, Jake Christiansen – Dante Fabbro.
- Goaltenders: Elvis Merzlikins, Jet Greaves.
Luca Del Bel Belluz is expected to replace Yegor Chinakhov at forward, while Miles Wood will move up to Columbus's top line.
Several players are currently sidelined with injuries. Erik Gudbranson is on injured reserve with a hip injury, and Boone Jenner is out with an upper-body injury. Jenner's absence is expected to be longer term, leaving a significant hole in the Blue Jackets' leadership.
Jets' Projected Lineup
The Winnipeg Jets are aiming to bounce back after a challenging road trip, having lost four of their last six games. They are coming off a shootout victory against the Calgary Flames. The Jets' lineup is getting healthier, with Gustav Nyquist and Dylan Samberg returning.
The projected lineup for the Jets is:
- Forwards: Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabriel Vilardi, Vladislav Namestnikov – Jonathan Toews – Cole Perfetti, Nino Niederreiter – Adam Lowry – Alex Iafallo, Tanner Pearson – Morgan Barron – Gustav Nyquist.
- Defensemen: Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo, Dylan Samberg – Neal Pionk, Logan Stanley – Luke Schenn.
- Goaltenders: Eric Comrie, Connor Hellebuyck.
Haydn Fleury is currently on injured reserve with a concussion. Morgan Barron and Cole Koepke were activated from injured reserve on Monday.
Storylines to Watch
The Blue Jackets' second forward unit, featuring Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov, and Adam Fantilli, has been a significant source of offense, accounting for nearly 40% of the team's goals. However, the top line of Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson needs to elevate their performance.
The Jets are hoping that the return of key players like Barron and Nyquist will provide a boost to their offense and help them regain their early-season momentum. Winnipeg assigned forwards Brad Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov, and Parker Ford to Manitoba of the American Hockey League (AHL).
