The Montreal Canadiens (14-16-3) are gearing up to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (13-15-6) tonight at Nationwide Arena, with the puck set to drop at 7 p.m. ET. This matchup serves as the final game before the Christmas break for both teams, and the Canadiens are riding high after achieving their first three-game winning streak of the season.
Under the leadership of head coach Martin St-Louis, the Canadiens have turned their fortunes around, gaining momentum from two consecutive victories against the Detroit Red Wings. This has reinvigorated the team's spirits, particularly for players like Patrik Laine. Since his return from injury, Laine has scored eight goals over nine games, positioning himself as one of the league's most dangerous scorers. Despite some struggles at even strength, his power play prowess has greatly bolstered Montreal's offense.
Tonight's showdown will also see Laine going up against his former team for the first time since the trade. During his stint with Columbus, he was known for his goal-scoring ability, and Canadiens fans are thrilled to see him channeling much of his talent with his new club.
Looking at the Canadiens’ lineup, Laine's impact is felt significantly on the power play, where he leads the team with several goals. The projected lineup showcases other key players including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky, all contributing to Montreal's offensive depth.
On the Blue Jackets side, their projected lineup includes familiar faces such as Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko. While Monahan is on pace for what could be considered his career-best season, the Blue Jackets have struggled with consistency and currently rank low defensively. Coach Dean Evason mentioned yesterday the challenges the Blue Jackets face, having lost nine of their last eleven games.
Columbus has been particularly vulnerability on the penalty kill, sitting near the bottom of the league statistically. This poses both challenges and opportunities for the Canadiens, who have been revitalized by Laine's performance and scoring capabilities.
Montreal's recent form has made them the favorites going to tonight’s game. The Canadiens are eager to extend their winning streak after scoring convincingly and displaying improved chemistry on the ice. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault is expected to start for Montreal, continuing his trend of being the backbone of the squad as they ramp up for the busy holiday schedule.
Besides Montembeault, the Canadiens are hoping for solid performances from defensemen like Alexandre Carrier and Kaiden Guhle. Their ability to stifle the Blue Jackets’ attack will be pivotal as they aim for home ice advantage.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are dealing with injuries, which have impacted their lineup depth. Young players are getting opportunities, including Denton Mateychuk, who is set to make his NHL debut. The nerves of the first game may be overwhelming, but the Blue Jackets are counting on their veterans to guide them through.
Statistics reveal the Canadiens have thrived against the Blue Jackets historically, winning their last seven encounters. The teams have met twice this season already: once ending with a commanding 5-1 victory for Montreal, and another needing overtime for the Canadiens to snag a 4-3 win.
Fans can tune in to the game through TSN2 and RDS for English and French broadcasts. Postgame coverage will be available on Montreal Hockey Now, featuring highlights and recaps of the exciting action.
With both teams eager for victory as they approach the holiday break, the stakes are high tonight—especially for Laine, who is returning to Columbus with the potential to cause havoc against his former team. Expect him to leave everything on the ice as he continues to prove his worth to the Canadiens and their hopeful fan base.
