The Canadiens are back in the saddle again.
In their second game in two nights, the Montreal Canadiens are finding themselves in another position to upset a team on a winning streak. Columbus has won 11 games in a row, which is the most consecutive games won in their franchise’s history.
It’s been quite the time offensively for the Blue Jackets who haven’t scored less than three goals in a hockey game since their last loss on the 26th of November. Leading the way for Columbus is Cam Atkinson with 14 points in that stretch, followed by Sam Gagner with 13, and Brandon Saad with 10.
It’s a tough task for a Montreal Canadiens team that is missing five lineup regulars with injuries, as well as missing Alexei Emelin due to his wife giving birth (Congratulations!).
There’s also that friendly reminder that the last time the Canadiens visited Columbus they surrendered 10 goals and were shut out by the Blue Jackets in their worst defeat of the season. The Canadiens also drew unpopular press that day when deciding to leave Al Montoya in the game for all 10 goals against. Montoya will have his chance to right any wrongs tonight as he expected to get the start.
How To Watch
Puck Drop: 7:00pm EST/ 4:00pm PST
In Canada: Sportsnet East (English), RDS (French)
In the United States: FS-O (Columbus Region)
Elsewhere: NHL.TV/NHL Gamecenter Live, NHL Center Ice
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| Max Pacioretty | Phillip Danault | Alexander Radulov |
| Artturi Lehkonen | Tomas Plekanec | Brian Flynn |
| Paul Byron | Torrey Mitchell | Brendan Gallagher |
| Daniel Carr | Michael McCarron | Chris Terry |
| Left Defense |
Right Defense |
| Nathan Beaulieu | Shea Weber |
| Mark Barberio | Jeff Petry |
| Joel Hanley | Zach Redmond |
| Goaltenders |
| Al Montoya |
| Carey Price |
Scratched: Sven Andrighetto, Alexei Emelin (personal).
Injured: Alex Galchenyuk (knee), David Desharnais (knee), Greg Pateryn (fractured ankle), Andrew Shaw (concussion), Andrei Markov (lower-body).
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| Brandon Saad | Alexander Wennberg | Nick Foligno |
| Boone Jenner | Brandon Dubinsky | Cam Atkinson |
| Matt Calvert | William Karlsson | Josh Anderson |
| Scott Hartnell | Lukas Sedlak | Sam Gagner |
| Left Defense |
Right Defense |
| Zach Werenski | Seth Jones |
| Jack Johnson | David Savard |
| Ryan Murray | Markus Nutivaara |
| Goaltenders |
| Sergei Bobrovski |
| Curtis McElhinney |
Scratched: Dalton Prout
Injured: David Clarkson (lower-body)
