With two wins earlier this season, the Montreal Canadiens will be looking for a series sweep against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens (24-30-10) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (22-32-10)
Game Preview
Roster News
On Monday, the Canadiens acquired forward Arnaud Durandeau from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Nathan Legare. Durandeau will report to the Laval Rocket.
Juraj Slafkovsky did not participate in Monday's practice taking a therapy day.
Colin White practiced with his teammates wearing a non-contact jersey. He is listed with an upper body injury.
Cayden Primeau (5-6-2 / 3.04 GAA / .901 SV%) is the confirmed starter for Montreal.
Last Game
The Maple Leafs took advantage of some shaky goaltending and the Canadiens could not tie the game with a lengthy man advantage to end the game.
Last game: MTL 2 vs TOR 3 | F
Players to Watch
- Juraj Slafkovsky - Slafkovsky has struggled in the last month. He has recorded one goal, three assists and a minus-8 rating in his last 10 games.
Matchup for Game 65, Home Game 33
Bell Centre, Montreal, QNC. | March 12, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, BSOH, ESPN
Pre-Game
Martin St. Louis - "We haven't had passengers in a long time. It's been fun coming to the rink."
Canadiens Connection podcast
Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
22 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
89 Joshua Roy - 15 Alex Newhook - 40 Joel Armia
11 Brendan Gallagher - 71 Jake Evans - 17 Josh Anderson
55 Michael Pezzetta - 49 Rafael Harvey-Pinard - 70 Tanner Pearson
Defensemen
8 Mike Matheson - 21 Kaiden Guhle
72 Arber Xhekaj - 58 David Savard
47 Jayden Struble - 26 Johnathan Kovacevic
Goaltenders
Starter: 30 Cayden Primeau (5-6-2 / 3.04 GAA / .901 SV%)
Alternate: 35 Sam Montembeault
Out of the lineup
Scratches: Jesse Ylonen, Jordan Harris
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Christian Dvorak (upper body), Colin White (upper body)
Visiting Bench
This is the third and final meeting of the season for the two teams. The Canadiens have won both previous contests.
The Blue Jackets have earned points in five of the last six games at the Bell Centre.
Johnny Gaudreau has recorded 23 points in 28 career games against the Canadiens.
Elvis Merzlikins (12-13-7 / 3.21 GAA / .904 SV%) is the confirmed starter for the Blue Jackets.
Game Expectations
The Canadiens have won just twice in their last 10 games. The Blue Jackets suffered a home loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
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