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

A Look Back

It was a terrible game for the Habs who found themselves down early and were unprepared from the start. Cole Caufield and Sean Monahan were the lone goal scorers for the Habs but Jake Allen let in seven goals for the first time in his NHL career.

Last game: MTL 2  BUF 7  F

For a complete game recap: Sabres Crush Habs | RECAP: BUF @ MTL

Players to Watch

• Mike Matheson
  It has been a tough two games for Matheson since making his Canadiens debut on Saturday. While there is a lot to like about his game his decision-making has been awful. Hopefully this is simply a lack of chemistry and a bit of rust that should sort itself out in the near future.
• Brendan Gallagher
  Gallagher had one of his quietest games of the season with only one shot on goal. In a blow-out game, Gallagher needs to be even more impactful and the type of response he has tonight will determine how much hockey he has left.
• Nick Suzuki
  After another bad game, the Habs captain has to lead the charge and show some type of response. The Habs are only going to go so far and right now it is as far as Suzuki is going to take them.

Keys to Victory

• Prevent the fall
  After being on the losing end of a big loss the Habs have to show some type of response or they will quickly start to see themselves fall to the bottom of the standings once again.
• Be ready
  The Habs don’t seem to be mentally prepared the last few games; this comes back to the coaching. Every game is different and there should be a specific game plan in place and it’s not simply going out and playing good hockey.
• Stop the puck
  The Habs need their goaltending to step up after multiple high scoring games. The Habs defence needs to do everything they can to make it easy on their goalies but the Habs goaltending will continue to cost them games if they continue to give up more than four goals a game.

2022-23  statistics

• “I think it was just one of those games where nothing was going our way. It was just a frustrating night and I think we’ve just gotta put it behind us and keep going.”

Bottom Line