The Montreal Canadiens are hoping to put together consecutive wins for the first time in two months as they get set to play the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday night. The Canadiens will be trying desperately to build on the shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs last Saturday and Columbus presents the perfect opportunity for them to fully break out of their funk. Not only is Columbus last in the NHL standings, but the news for them has gotten from bad to worse as they are without their # 1 goalie Sergei Bobrovsky due to his groin injury. Head coach John Tortorella is also out with broken ribs as a result of a collision with former Hab Rene Bourque at practice last week. Now will he travel to Montreal for the back end of the home and home series.
#CBJ coach John Tortorella (broken ribs) definitely out tonight and Tuesday vs. #Canadiens. Club hopes he's ready after All-Star Game break.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 25, 2016Canadiens coach Michel Therrien can understand how Tortorella is feeling:
Re: Tortorella's rib injury, Therrien has coached with broken ribs. Who ran into him? "Ryan White. He's in Philly', he said laughing.
— Dan Robertson (@DRTSN690) January 25, 2016Now is the perfect time for the Canadiens to take advantage of their opponent and try to at least keep pace if not gain some ground with the playoff teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference. P.K. Subban did not practice this morning as he is ill with the flu. If he does not play than it will be the first time in his career that he would miss a game due illness/injury. Therrien said that Subban is feeling better this morning compared to last time but that he will be a game time decision. If Subban does not play than Tom Gilbert might return from his injury or Greg Pateryn could dress tonight. Without Subban, it would be interesting to see how Therrien and J.J. Daigneault would adjust their pairings. They could go:
Beaulieu-Petry Markov-Emelin Barberio-Pateryn/Gilbert
or:
Emelin-Petry Markov-Beaulieu Barberio-Pateryn/Gilbert
I would prefer the first option as Markov and Emelin have played together in the past and it would be less of an adjustment than Beaulieu with Markov. The forward lines remain intact from Saturday’s game and so Jacob de la Rose will be a healthy scratch once again. Mike Condon will get the start in goal, looking to build on his strong performance and victory from Saturday night.
5 Questions for Tonight’s Game:
1) Will the Habs powerplay be able to get going again, especially if they are missing Subban?
2) Which Defenceman is most apt to step up if Subban cannot go?
3) Can the Canadiens finally put together consecutive wins?
4) Will the Canadiens 1st line rebound from a so-so effort against Toronto?
5) Will Daniel Carr further cement his place in the lineup with a strong showing against the Blue Jackets?
Puck Drops at 7pm.
Cheers & Enjoy the Game! Follow @Jenbcutler