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	2018-19 statistics	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.

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

2018-19 statistics