DEFENDING FIRST PLACE
Ladyfriend and I are going to our first game this year. Please don’t end us if they lose.
Montreal Canadiens @ Columbus Blue Jackets
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV: FS-OH; Radio: WBNS-FM
Opponent’s Blog: Eyes On The Prize
Defend first place.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in first place right now, in case you hadn’t heard. They are literally in the exact opposite spot they were at this time last season, and in a place they have never been before. A win tonight leaves the CBJ in first place through Christmas. Is there a better present? Hard pressed to find one.
I expect Bob to get the start tonight. In the opposite net, Al Montoya will start (meaning, hey, Carey Price is out!) and he will be looking to avenge a 10-0 loss his last time here.
Go Jackets. #WinTheThird and bring this one home.
Season Series
11/4/16 MTL 0 @ CBJ 10
12/23/16 MTL @ CBJ
2/28/17 CBJ @ MTL
Stats Matchup
| Montreal | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.09 (4) | GPG | 3.42 (1) |
| 2.21 (4) | GAPG | 2.07 (2) |
| 19.4% (12) | PP% | 27.0% (1) |
| 81.8% (17) | PK% | 81.8% (14) |
| 52.6% (4) | EV CF% | 50.7% (14) |
| 102.9 (2) | EV PDO | 102.6 (4) |
| Max Pacioretty, 13 | G Leader | Cam Atkinson, 14 |
| Andrei Markov, 19 | A Leader | Alexander Wennberg, 21 |
| Max Pacioretty, 26 | P Leader | Cam Atkinson, 33 |
| Andrew Shaw, 58 | PIM Leader | Nick Foligno, 33 |
| 6-5-2 | Road / Home | 12-3-1 |
| 5-3-2 | Last 10 | 10-0-0 |
Probable Lineups
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Brandon Saad | Alexander Wennberg | Nick Foligno |
| Boone Jenner | Brandon Dubinsky | Cam Atkinson |
| Scott Hartnell | William Karlsson | Josh Anderson |
| Matt Calvert | Lukas Sedlak | Sam Gagner |
| Zach Werenski | Seth Jones |
| Jack Johnson | David Savard |
| Markus Nutivaara | Ryan Murray |
| Sergei Bobrovsky |
| Curtis McElhinney |
Montreal Canadiens
| Max Pacioretty | Phillip Danault | Alexander Radulov |
| Paul Byron | Torrey Mitchell | Brendan Gallagher |
| Artturi Lehkonen | Tomas Plekanec | Brian Flynn |
| Daniel Carr | Michael McCarron | Chris Terry |
| Nathan Beaulieu | Shea Weber |
| Joel Hanley | Jeff Petry |
| Mark Barberio | Zach Redmond |
| Al Montoya |
| Carey Price |