Game 17 Preview: Blue Jackets close back-to-back in Montreal

Saturday, November 16, 2024 – 7:00PM ET
Bell Centre – Montreal, Quebec
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio – Radio: 97.1FM

Columbus Blue Jackets (6-8-2, 14 points, 8th Metropolitan, 15th East)
at
Montreal Canadiens (5-10-2, 12 points, 8th Atlantic, 16th East)

After dethroning the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 last night in NWA, the Jackets once again hit the road, visiting the Habs in the great white north. It’s a riveting battle of the two worst teams in the East by record, meaning that Columbus has a prime opportunity for another two points.

Player to Watch

Adam Fantilli

After returning to Columbus from the West Coast trip, Fantilli was adamant (no pun intended) that the team was playing the right way, they just “gotta to put the puck in the net.” Good news: He did last night! The Jackets only seem to be able to score 6 goals or 2 this season, so if they want more consistency, Fantilli’s going to have to be more consistent in his shooting. Building up a hot streak would be pretty nice, right?

Jackets Notes

I’d put the “six goals or two goals” thing as a joke, but that’s been their total in 12 of their 16 games so far, including eight of their last nine. Weird. … With his goal yesterday, Mattieu Olivier has tied his career high for goals in a season. He has 66 games left to get the next one. … This is somehow just the second back-to-back in the young season for the Jackets. The last one was the pair of clobberings by Winnipeg and Washington to start the month, so things are already going better!

The Other Bench

Habs Twitter has had a weird obsession with young defenseman Lane Hutson so far this season, and the rest of Hockey Twitter has been making fun of them for it. He’s currently pulling a “Reverse Marchenko,” with 10 assists but no goals this season. … Shea Weber will be added to the Canadiens’ Ring of Honor in a ceremony prior to puck drop. … Montreal got shutout Thursday in Minnesota, and are 1-6-1 in their last eight. … The Habs are letting in the most goals per game in the NHL this season, around four per game. … Cole Caufield switched his jersey number to 13 at the start of the season to honor Johnny Gaudreau, and currently leads the team in scoring with 12 goals. … I’m just now realizing that both Canadiens goalies have an “eau” vowel in their last names, and I think that’s neat.

Season Series

11/16/2024 – Columbus at Montreal
11/27/2024 – Montreal at Columbus
12/23/2024 – Montreal at Columbus

Stats

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Montreal Canadiens