The Jackets will host Sam Montembeault & Co.
The Montreal Canadiens will come into Columbus today having won two of their last three games, but they did drop their last game against the LA Kings however. The loss against the Kings they were shutout 4-0. The Habs are also 4-6 in their last 10. The Canadiens currently sit 7th in the Atlantic, 13th in the East, and 24th in the NHL.
The Canadiens are playing on three full days rest.
Three Keys
- Keep It Rollin'. The Jackets have won three of the last four games, including two over elite teams like Boston and New Jersey. They had Carolina beat as well until they didn't. Keep playing the way they have and they should win this game. They're playing smart and with purpose, so keep that going.
- The PK is Elite, Keep it That Way. Columbus' PK currently sits 2nd in the NHL at 89.2%, just .2% behind the league leading LA Kings. The Habs PP is 23rd in the league, but they have Caufield and Suzuki who can strike at any time. Between the two of them, they have 16 power play points. The entire current Jackets roster has 24 PP points combined.
- It's Payback Time. The CBJ were in Montreal back on October 26th and got beat in overtime by Cole Caufield with 43 seconds left in the OT period. The Jackets also gave up 2 power play goals and blew a 2-0 lead. It wasn't their finest game, but now they're playing well and will be looking for revenge.
Series History
- The Jackets are 10-6-1 at home against the Habs, and have won 8 of the last 10 at NWA.
- Montreal has won the last three games against the CBJ.
- Columbus is 20-14-5 all-time vs. Montreal
Who to watch for Montreal
- Cole Caufield has 6 goals and 17 points on the season.
- Nick Suzuki has 6 goals and 17 points on the season as well.
- The Habs rotate between Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault, and Cayden Primeau. Allen is 3-5-1, Montembeault is 4-3-1, and Primeau is 2-2. The Canadiens played three games last week and all three were started by each of the goalies. Sam Montembeault will start against Columbus on Wednesday night.
Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 23 points in 27 games vs. The Habs.
- Elvis is 3-1-2 with a 2.95 GAA against Montreal in his career.
- Cole Sillinger has 5 points in 6 games vs. the Canadiens.
- Boone Jenner has 6 goals in 23 career games against Montreal.
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Bally Sports Ohio. As always, the legendary Jeff Rimer will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 105.7 FM with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.