GAME DAY | Canadiens – Blue Jackets: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV
Sam Gerber
Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game: MTL 2 TBL 3 (SO)
The Habs played a strong road game doing their best to limit the Lightning’s potent offense for most of the game. A strong fore-check by Tampa and a bad defensive play led to the tying goal. Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov beat Antti Niemi for the shootout win.
Alex Galchenyuk
Galchenyuk scored his 16th of the year and continues to be the Habs most skilled forward. It’s puzzling that Galchenyuk has not received another chance at center.
Boone Jenner
Jenner is an underrated forward for the Jackets, he competes on a nightly bases and can drive defense crazy with his fore-checking.
Sergei Bobrovsky
Bobrovsky always plays well against the Habs. Montreal Habs needs to get to him early, not allowing him to take over the game.
Keys to Victory
Get traffic in front of Bob
It’s crucial for the Canadiens to take away the eyes of a very good goaltender.
Execute breakouts
Habs need to keep it simple on the breakout to avoid being pinned in their own zone.
Use transition game
Habs need to create offense off the transition..
Matchup by All Habs staff
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH | March 12, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-O
2017-18 statistics
BLUE JACKETS
CANADIENS
77 (19th)
Points (rank)
62 (27th)
36-28-5
Record
25-31-12
22-11-2
Home/Away
9-21-4
7-3-0
Last 10
3-2-5
2.64
GF/G
2.51
2.74
GA/G
3.06
14.5
PP%
20.0
77.4
PK%
76.3
51.82
CF%
50.98
eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Record: 4-6-2 GAA: 2.78 Sv%: .914 SO: 2 Alternate: Antti Niemi
What to Expect by Sam Gerber
Prediction: Canadiens 1 Blue Jackets 4
After a high effort game against the Lightning the Habs need to bring that compete level again. The Jackets have a talented defensive group that love to be a part of the offense, keeping them in check will be important for the Habs.