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Harris is Back | PREVIEW: CBJ @ MTL

Cole Jurzyniec

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It was a spirited bout between these two divisional rivals with the last place Eastern Atlantic Canadiens taking on the big bad Bruins. Boston opened the scoring 4:34 into the match and followed up with another late in the first. Mike Hoffman took a brutal cross-check from A.J Greer that allowed the Habs to pot a power play goal. In rare fashion, the Canadiens found another power play goal in the second to give them a chance but were ultimately shut down in the third.

Last game: MTL 2  BOS 4  F

For a complete game recap: Rivalry Renewed | RECAP: MTL @ BOS

Players to Watch

  • David Savard
    The Quebec native has been a big part of the back end being a blocking machine sitting seventh in the league with 167 total. Savard has managed to scrounge together three assists in the last six games but had a tough showing against the Bruins Thursday night. He’ll be looking to bounce back.
  • Nick Suzuki
    The 23-year-old captain has caught fire in the last stretch of the regular season. He’s got six points in the last three games (1G-5A) and will be looking to close out the tough year on a positive note.
  • Denis Gurianov
    The Russian winger continues to hit the stat sheet. There’s no guessing where Gurianov will end up in the off-season but seven points in eight games (4G-3A) is hard to overlook. The former first rounder looks to be finding his rhythm at times with a young Canadiens squad.

Keys to Victory

  • Fill the net
    The Blue Jackets are 31st in the league for giving up an average of 3.89 goals a game. The Habs have had some success with plugging the net, putting pucks on net should be a primary focus.
  • Stay disciplined
    After 39 minutes of penalties taken in total against the Bruins, the team will be looking to tone down the excessive energy and play a more disciplined match.
  • Win the power-play
    After some powerplay success against the Bruins, they should hone in on the man-advantage and look to apply pressure when given the opportunity.
Statistical Matchup for Game 73
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 25, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SNE, CITY, TVAS, ESPN+, BSOH

2022-23  statistics
BLUE JACKETS CANADIENS
53 (31st) Points (rank) 62 (28th)
23-41-7 Record 28-38-6
W2 Streak L1
3-6-1 Last 10 2-6-2
2.72 (29th) GF/G (rank) 2.76 (27th)
3.89 (31st) GA/G (rank) 3.69 (28th)
19.7 (22nd) PP% (rank) 17.1 (28th)
76.0 (22nd) PK% (rank) 72.7 (29th)
48.2  Faceoff % 48.8
Pre-game quote
Mike Hoffman
  • “I would have expected something more severe as a suspension. It’s just one of the most vicious and dangerous moves you can make in this league.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Gaudreau – Jenner – Marchenko
Foudy – Roslovic – Johnson
Robinson – Kuraly – Fix-Wolansky
Pederson – McKown – Bemstrom		 Harvey-Pinard – Suzuki – Hoffman
Drouin – Dach – Gurianov
Ylonen – Evans – Gallagher
Pezzetta – Tierney – Belzile
Defensemen
Boqvist – Blankenburg
Berni – Peeke
Bayreuther – Christiansen		 Matheson – Savard
Edmundson – Barron
Harris – Kovacevic
Out of the lineup
Scratched: none
Injured: Danforth, Laine, Olivier, Gudbranson		 Scratched: Wideman, Pitlick
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Caufield (shoulder), Xhekaj (upper-body), Armia (illness), Dvorak (lower-body), Guhle (lower-body), Anderson (lower-body)
Goalies
Elvis Merzlikins Sam Montembeault
Record: 7-17-2
GAA: 4.09
Sv%: .880
SO: 0
Alternate: Michael Hutchinson		 Record: 14-14-3
GAA: 3.32
Sv%: .905
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Habs have been able to hang with the best in the league, they certainly shouldn’t overlook a Columbus team filled with talent, but they shouldn’t have any issues putting up a solid effort.

Bottom Line

It’s a battle for the basement, however, both teams will be putting their best effort on the ice despite what is on the line this draft class.
 Video Highlights

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