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Afternoon Tilt | PREVIEW: CBJ @ MTL

Sam Gerber
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Afternoon Tilt | PREVIEW: CBJ @ MTL

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 may have not gone the way the new Habs coach would have wanted but Martin St. Louis saw a team that didn’t quit. The Habs did look more motivated as they heavily out shot the Capitals. Unfortunately, the Habs goaltending struggled early putting the Habs in a tough spot. There were several positives to take from the game and the Habs will continue to look a little different over the next few weeks as adjustments are made.

Last game: MTL 2  WSH 5 F

For a complete game recap: A Loss Is A Win? | RECAP: WSH @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Cole Caufield
    It is a fresh start for Caufield who appreciates having St. Louis as a coach. St.Louis should be able to mentor younger forwards. It could help Caufield find his confidence  to become the goal scorer he hopes to be.
  • Josh Anderson
    With a coaching change, several players may have new leadership opportunities. This is a chance for Anderson to become a leader in the room and it starts with his play on the ice.
  • Jeff Petry
    Petry will likely benefit the most from the coaching change as he did not see eye to eye with Ducharme. This could help Petry to improve his play making way for him to relocate to a new team with a handsome return coming to Montreal.

Keys to Victory

  • Start strong
    Giving up early goals, like they did last time they played the Blue Jackets, has been a horrible trend for the Habs this season. The Canadiens have to focus on controlling the play in the first and not allow the Blue Jackets get an early lead.
  • Play smart
    St. Louis, known as a smarter hockey mind, played in the older era where smaller players had to out work and out smart their opponents. It will take some time but St. Louis will be teaching the Habs the lessons from his Hall of Fame career.
  • Win special teams
    St. Louis recorded 204 power-play assists in his career and could be sharing his wisdom with key play-makers on the Habs, which should lead to a stronger power-play.
Statistical Matchup for Game 47
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 12, 12:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSOH

2021-22  statistics
BLUE JACKETS CANADIENS
45 (23rd) Points (rank) 23 (32nd)
22-22-1 Record 8-31-7
W2 Streak L6
5-5-0 Last 10 1-7-2
3.16 (13th) GF/G (rank) 2.20 (32nd)
3.67 (30th) GA/G (rank) 4.00 (32nd)
16.8 (25th) PP% (rank) 13.9 (31st)
80.0 (16th) PK%  (rank) 73.5 (29th)
49.1  Faceoff % 47.6
Pre-game Quotes
Nick Suzuki

  • “We had a good game (Thursday); we could’ve easily won that game. I think we’re in a good spot moving forward.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Laine – Jenner – Nyquist
Voracek – Sillinger – Bjorkstrand
Chinakhov – Kuraly – Domi
Fix-Wolansky – Roslovic – Gaunce		 Lehkonen – Suzuki – Toffoli
Pitlick – Evans – Anderson
Hoffman – Byron – Gallagher
Armia – Poehling – Caufield
Defensemen
Werenski – Peeke
Gavrikov – Boqvist
Bayreuther – Kukan		 Chiarot – Romanov
Kulak – Petry
Clague – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Carlsson, Meyer
Injured: Danforth, Tarasov, Texier, Bean,  Robinson, Bemstrom		 Scratched: Paquette, Pezzetta, Dauphin
Injured: Dvorak (upper-body), Savard (ankle), Allen (lower-body), Drouin (upper-body), Perreault (lower-body), Edmundson (back), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Elvis Merzlikins Sam Montembeault
Sam Montembeault
Record: 16-12-1
GAA: 3.39
Sv%: .904
SO: 2
Alternate: Joonas Korpisalo		 Record: 2-8-4
GAA: 3.97
Sv%: .892
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
It will be an early start for the Habs two days in a row as they are playing their traditional afternoon Super Bowl weekend games. The Habs will look to get back into the win column and get their new head coach his first win of his career. The Habs goaltender will be key to the game as it has struggled over the last several games taking the Habs out of games early.  

Bottom Line

With changes being made to the lineup, and playing styles these remaining Habs games will be important to watch to see if St. Louis can raise the mood of what has been a difficult season for the players.
 Video Highlights

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