Columbus Blue Jackets (54 pts) vs. Montréal Canadiens (58 pts) Game Preview
The Blue Jackets will get a break this week, sort of. Over the last two weeks, they've played five Stanley Cup contenders. But this week they get some fellow bottom feeders. Montréal is first on that list.
The Canadiens are in the midst of a slump. They're 2-6-2 in their last 10 and have lost two straight. A 3-9-3 record since February 6th is not ideal for the rebuilding Habs.
The Canadiens are currently 7th in the Atlantic Division, 14th in the East, and 26th in the NHL.
Series History vs. The Canadiens
- Columbus is 10-8-4 all-time in Montréal, and 20-15-5 in all meetings.
- The Jackets are 0-3-1 in the last 4 against the Habs.
- The CBJ are 3-1-2 in the last 6 inside the Bell Centre.
Who To Watch For The Canadiens
- Nick Suzuki has 25 goals and 61 points on the season. He also has 15 points in 11 career games against the Jackets.
- Mike Matheson has 37 assists and 46 points.
- Cole Caufield has 6 points in 6 games against the CBJ.
- Goalie Sam Montembeault is 13-12-5 with a .904 save %. Montembeault started the last two games for the Habs.
- Goalie Cayden Primeau is 5-6-2 with a .901 save %. Primeau's last start was on March 2nd.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Canadiens
- Yegor Chinakhov has 3 points in 4 games.
- Johnny Gaudreau has 23 points in 28 games.
- Cole Sillinger has 5 points in 7 games.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture-Dec. 14; NHL Player Assistance Program-Jan. 28); 17 games (for injury)
- Adam Fantilli (calf laceration on Jan. 28); expected to miss 8 weeks (15 games)
- Kent Johnson (shoulder injury on Feb. 28); out indefinitely (6 games)
- Justin Danforth (concussion); day-to-day (1 game)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 204
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 97.1 The Fan with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
More From THN Columbus
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.