Game #35 Preview: Will Patrik Laine have an airing of grievances?

Monday, December 23, 2024 – 7:00 PM EST
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
TV: FDSNOH; Radio 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Site: Eyes on the Prize

Montreal Canadiens (14-16-3, 31 points, 6th Atlantic, 14th East)

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Columbus Blue Jackets (13-15-6, 32 points, 8th Metro, 13th East)

Happy Festivus! Set up the aluminum pole and prepare to fight your father in the feats of strength.

Player to Watch

Patrik Laine

Laine makes his long-awaited return to Nationwide Arena tonight. He missed the first two meetings between the teams this year due to a knee injury suffered in a preseason game. Since his return earlier this month, Laine has 9 points in 9 games. He’s in Cy Young contention with just 1 assist to 8 goals. Even more weird? All 8 goals have come on the power play, including a hat trick against Buffalo last Tuesday. Maybe this specialist role is what he’s meant to be?

I want to revisit a topic raised in the comments recently: how do we feel about Laine now? Is he an ex-Jacket we root for going forward, or do we feel bitterness towards him because he wanted out?

Personally, I feel bad that things didn’t work out here but I don’t blame Laine for it. There are plenty of things that went wrong that don’t appear to be the fault of either side: his father’s passing, his many injuries, and finally his stint in the player assistance program. After all that he needed a change of scenery, and he seems to be thriving in Montreal. He also seemed to enjoy the city of Columbus and interacting with Blue Jackets fans. If there was any beef, it was with the previous management/coaching staff. I think the decision to ask for a trade was made before Waddell and Evason were brought in, and there was no going back at that point.

I expect a similar reaction to when Artemi Panarin came back: a warm reception during the video acknowledgement, then boos if/when he scores against us.

Jackets Notes

Lots of activity on Sunday: Justin Danforth was placed on the IR, James Malatesta was returned to Cleveland, and goalie Jet Greaves and Denton Mateychuk were recalled from the Monsters. If Mateychuk plays, it will be the NHL debut of the 2022 first round pick … Zach Werenski and Jake Christiansen were banged up on Saturday night, so their status could be in question. Jordan Harris also barely played … Not sure what the plan is with Greaves. He is an emergency recall, which could mean that either Elvis Merzlikins or Daniil Tarasov may not be able to dress. Previously, the plan was for Elvis to start three straight games heading into the holiday break.

The Other Bench

After a dreadful start to the season, the Habs have won three straight including a 5-1 demolishing of the Red Wings on Saturday.

Season Series

11/16/2024 CBJ 1 @ MTL 5
11/27/2024 MTL 4 @ CBJ 3 (OT)
12/23/2024 MTL @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Montreal Canadiens