GAME DAY | Canadiens – Blue Jackets: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV

Sam Gerber

6 years ago

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 5 FLA 1 The Canadiens gave up the lone goal in the first period when Mike Hoffman was left unchecked. Montreal’s power-play clicked right from the start of the second with a Shea Weber blast. The Habs were out shot badly the entire game but that didn’t stop them from scoring three goals in the second. Jesperi Kotkaniemi blew past a defender to make a perfect toe-drag and potting the puck into a wide open net. Antti Niemi was very busy, making a career high 52 saves as the Panthers tossed in shots from all over the ice.

For a complete game recap: Habs Down Panthers for Third Straight Win

Players to watch

Phillip Danault
Danault has quietly started producing on a more consistent level and is eight points away from reaching his career best. His defensive game is also heading in the right direction although it still has a way to go.
Matthew Peca
The Peca signing was a surprising one and hasn’t worked the way Habs management had hoped. Sadly, he still signed for one more year. With the suspension to Byron, Peca has an opportunity to change his season around. He needs to use his speed just like Byron and be secure with the puck to make the most of his opportunity.
Carey Price
Price gets the start and is having a great month of January so far. The All-Star goalie has five wins and his last eight starts. Price is having an excellent season and will be the key piece for if the Habs make the playoffs.

Keys to Victory

Start fast
The Habs have had two days off after winning back-to-back games. The can’t look sluggish in this game. Going up against the Jackets who lead their division will be no easy task and the Habs need a fast start to keep up to them.
Play with urgency
The Habs have 33 games to make the playoffs and they need to play with urgency now.
Win special teams
The Habs scored a power-play goal that kick-started the offence last game. It has started to become a positive piece for the Habs and can’t afford to take a step backwards.

Matchup by All Habs staff
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH \| January 18, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-O
	2018-19 statistics
BLUE JACKETS	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
59 (8th)	Points (rank)	57 (12th)
28-15-3	Record	26-17-5
14-8-2	Home/Away	13-8-3
7-3-0	Last 10	6-4-0
3.30	GF/G	3.00
3.02	GA/G	2.96
14.5	PP%	12.9
82.0	PK%	79.2
49.83	CF%	53.72



Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Panarin – Dubois – Atkinson Foligno – Jenner – Anderson Bjorkstrand – Wennberg – Stenlund Sedlak – Dubinsky – Nash	Tatar – Domi – Lehkonen Drouin – Danault – Gallagher Peca – Kotkaniemi – Armia Agostino – Chaput – Deslauriers
Defensemen
Werenski – Jones Murray – Nutivaara Harrington – Savard	Mete – Weber Reilly – Petry Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Duclair, Kukan Injured: Hannikainen	Scratched: Hudon, Alzner Injured: Shaw Suspended: Byron
Goalies
Joonas Korpisalo	Carey Price

Record: 9-2-2 GAA: – 2.94 Sv%: – .902 SO: 0 Alternate: Sergei Bobrovsky	Record: 18-13-4 GAA: – 2.65 Sv%: – .912 SO: 3 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Blue Jackets can’t stay out of the spotlight, currently on a four-game streak and first in their division but there are still a number of questions. Their starting goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, has been benched for games, suspended by the team and pulled in multiple starts over the past weeks. With Bobrovsky being a free agent and the trade deadline almost a month away the rumors keep coming. Even with the distractions, the Blue Jackets have still managed to go 7-3 in their last 10 games. With both teams on winning streaks, something has to give. The Habs will have to contain Cam Atkinson who is averaging over a point a game.

Highlights from the NHL

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2018-19 statistics