Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens (Game #11)

Montreal Canadiens (7-3-1, 15pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (6-4-0, 12pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
7:00 PM EDT
TV: None / WBNS (97.1 fm)

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
Follow me in the press box @WFNYDP during tonight’s game

Team Jekyl-n-Hyde is back on the ice tonight against what looks to be a pretty solid Montreal team so far into the young season. The Jackets’ three game winning streak from last week firmly went “THUD” on Saturday night in Denver, as the speedy Avalanche did not brake for the Jackets. So, can this team continue to find ways to bounce back after disgusting losses? We’re about to find out. [edit] This game is NOT on local TV. Thanks, Versus/NHL!

Projected Lineups
Montreal Canadiens:

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Team Rankings
Scoring:
MON – 2.64 gpg (20th NHL)
CBJ – 2.30 gpg (t26th NHL)

Defense:
MON – 2.27 gapg (t4th NHL)
CBJ – 2.90 gapg (t17th NHL)

Power Play:
MON – 7.7% (29th NHL)
CBJ – 11.6% (26th NHL)

Penalty Kill:
MON – 88.9% (6th NHL)
CBJ – 83.3% (t15th NHL)

Season Matchups
This is the first matchup of the season. Columbus finished 0-1-0 vs. Montreal last season.

11/02/10 – Montreal @ Columbus – 7:00 PM EDT

Game Notes
I must admit to not knowing much about the Canadiens, as they’re one of those teams we in Columbus just don’t see enough. They, much like the Jackets, don’t score a ton, but they are a stout defensive team with a solid goal-tender. Crazy parallel-numbers stat of the day: the Jackets haven’t yet scored more than three goals in a game; the Canadiens haven’t yet allowed more than three goals in a game. So, there’s that.

Jackets’ coach Scott Arniel is looking for a bit of a jump tonight, and has reinstated LW Nikita Filatov back on the second line, this time with a stronger veteran presence. Let’s hope it helps, as the Jackets’ offense from its top two lines needs a shot in the arm. Derek Dorsett moves back to the third line, which (and this is NOT a shot at him) is more suited to his abilities. Kyle Wilson moves back from the third to the fourth line.

On defense, the Jackets are hoping to have Jan Hejda back. His strained calf is back to “feeling like a blocked shot” injury, and he will try to go tonight. If he can’t, look for Nick Holden to continue playing.

Mathieu Garon gets the start in goal for Columbus, after Steve Mason’s rough night on Saturday in Colorado. The Jackets need to be stout in front of him, as Montreal is another speedy team—the same kind of team (Colorado) that gives them fits.

The Jackets’ special teams continue to be mired where they are. The Canadiens are actually worse (ha!) on the PP than Columbus is, but it looks to cut both ways as their PK is very, very solid and will probably flummox the Jackets, who can’t seem to mount a consistent PP against even the average-to-bad PKing teams. Look for them to continue to struggle on the man advantage, but look for their PK to get well a bit, as Montreal is just as bad on the man advantage themselves.

It’s getting to the point of madness to try to predict these games, so I’m not going to try. All I can say is that we should know in the middle of the first period which Jackets team has decided to show up, and then we can adjust accordingly. I’ll be in attendance sitting in press-row, so be sure to follow me on Twitter and let me know what you think.

From The Outside Looking In
Hab Eyes On the Prize
Habs Inside Out
Oh Canadiens

Next Game For The Jackets
Thursday, November 4, 2010
7:00 PM EDT
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Atlanta Thrashers