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GAME PREVIEW | Blue Jackets – Canadiens: Byron is Back, Weise to Laval

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY | Blue Jackets – Canadiens: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 3  FLA 6   The Habs came out flat and the Panthers took advantage. Antti Niemi had another bad start giving up three goals on nine shots. Niemi didn’t complete the first period with Carey Price coming in to right the ship. The decision woke up the Canadiens and they managed to climb back, tying the game. But Alexander Barkov had other ideas and took the game over, scoring not only a hat-trick but the goal of the year. The Panthers added an empty netter and the Habs ended their road trip without a single point.

For a complete game recap: Shaky Start, Penalties Sink Habs

Players to watch

  • Brendan Gallagher
    Gallagher had a goal but was also on the ice for two Panthers goals. Linemate Jonathan Drouin finished the game with a minus-3 rating and has been awful on the road trip. Don’t be surprised if Gallagher and Phillip Danault are reunited with Tomas Tatar against Columbus.
  • Tomas Tatar
    Tatar showed a lot of emotion at the end of the last game and needs to carry that over to Tuesday night. If Tatar brings a more physical style, he can change the Habs attack.    
  • Shea Weber
    Weber has been the Habs best defenseman by far all season and is doing what he can by elevating the play of Victor Mete. But the Canadiens captain needs a true number one pairing partner. We’ll see if Marc Bergevin is able to complete a major trade before the deadline. 

Keys to Victory

  • Get pucks deep
    The Canadiens continue having difficulty getting pucks deep. The Panthers took advantage and Montreal was caught. That has to end against Columbus.
  • Limit giveaways
    During the four game losing streak the Habs have been turnover machines and need to fix that immediately.
  • Play with energy
    The Habs had no energy to start the game, instead looking like they were on vacation in Florida. That can’t happen at the Bell Centre or fans will let them know quite early.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 19, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-O

2018-19 statistics
BLUE JACKETS CANADIENS
69 (10th) Points (rank) 69 (12th)
33-22-3 Record 31-21-7
18-9-1 Away/Home 17-10-4
5-5-0 Last 10 4-4-2
3.21 GF/G 2.95
3.03 GA/G 2.95
15.7 PP% 12.9
82.9 PK% 79.4
49.95  CF%  53.93
 
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Panarin – Dubois – Atkinson
Foligno – Jenner – Anderson
Robinson – Wennberg – Bjorkstrand
Nash – Dubinsky – Sedlak		 Drouin – Domi – Armia
Tatar – Danault (GTD) – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Shaw
Hudon – Thompson – Byron
Defensemen
 Werenski – Jones
Nutivaara – Savard
 Harrington – Kukan		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Duclair, Clendening
Injured: Murray, Hannikainen
 Scratched: Folin, Peca, Deslauriers
Injured: none
Goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky Carey Price
Record: 24-17-1
GAA: – 2.88
Sv%: – .904
SO: 3
Alternate: Joonas Korpisalo		 Record: 23-16-5
GAA: – 2.58
Sv%: – .916
SO: 3
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens must forget their terrible road trip and put up a win at home. The trade deadline is four games away and if the Habs don’t win a game before then it might force Bergevin’s hand. The Habs seemed to have spent their time in Florida by the pools relaxing. Andrew Shaw has been inconsistent since coming back from injury but finally looks healthy. He is a leader in the room and is one of the most vocal guys on the team. The Blue Jackets were pounded by the Lightning 5-1 on Monday so will arrive at the Bell Centre with something to prove. 
Highlights from the NHL
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