The Columbus Blue Jackets hop back on the ice tonight in a back to back with travel. The second half has them at Centre Bell with a final battle of the season with the injury destroyed Montreal Canadiens.
This is the third and final meeting of the season.
In the first meeting, Columbus won in their building 6-4.
Just before American Thanksgiving, Montreal won in their building 3-1.
Since the teams last met, Montreal moved forwards Evgeni Dadanov to Dallas and Nate Schnarr to Los Angeles.
Forward Denis Gurianov was acquired from Dallas; defenseman Frederic Allard was the return from Los Angeles; and the Habs claimed center Chris Tierney off waivers from Florida.
The Canadiens also have had a string of the injury bug, just like Columbus has this season.
Montreal is without the following roster players due to injury:
Forwards: Josh Anderson Sean Monahan Christian Dvorak Joel Armia Paul Byron Cole Caufield Juraj Slafkovsky Jesse Ylonen
Defenders: Kaiden Guhle Arber Xhekaj Jordan Harris
Goaltenders: Carey Price
Columbus has had everybody on their roster injured; but Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, and Justin Danforth have been gone since before Thanksgiving.
There is concern that Nick Blankenburg sustained an undisclosed injury against the New York Islanders in their overtime win last night, he is a game time decision. Mathieu Olivier and Erik Gudbranson also left the game and did not return.
With Brad Larsen back, the decision was made by the management to make some adjustments.
Defenseman Jake Christiansen and winger Trey Fix-WOLANSKY have been recalled from the Cleveland Monsters.
In regards to the goaltender battle, I am expecting Daniil Tarasov v Jake Allen.
Projected Lineups
Montreal Canadiens
Rafael Harvey-Pinard--Nick Suzuki--Mike Hoffman Jonathan Drouin--Kirby Dach--Dennis Gurainov Remi Pitlick--Jake Evans--Brendan Gallagher Michael Pezzetta--Chris Tierney--Alex Belize
Michael Matheson--David Savard Joel Edmundsson--Justin Barron Chris Wideman--Jonathan Kovacevic
Jake Allen Samuel Montembault
Scratched -- none Injured: Josh Anderson, Sean Monahan, Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Paul Byron , Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Jesse Ylonen, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj , Jordan Harris, Carey Price
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau--Boone Jenner--Kiril Marchenko Liam Foudy--Jack Roslovic--Kent Johnson Emil Bemstrom--Hunter McKown--Trey Fix-Wolansky Eric Robinson--Sean Kuraly--Lane Pederson
Tim Breni--Andrew Peeke Gavin Bayreuther--Adam Boqvist Jake Christiansen--Nick Blankenburg
Daniil Tarasov Michael Hutchinson
Scratched -- none Injured -- Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, Justin Danforth, Erik Gubdranson, Mathieu Olivier, Nick Blankenburg
Players to Watch
Montreal - David Savard - the former CBJ draft pick and Stanley Cup winner. How often does that statement go together?
Columbus - Trey Fix-Wolansky - he is back on the main roster while having a career year in the AHL.
Predicted Final Score
MTL - 3 CBJ - 2
OT