The Montreal Canadiens are set to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 22 of the season, with the puck dropping at 7:30 PM EST. The game will be broadcasted across various networks including Sportsnet East for Canadian viewers and RDS for those in the Canadiens’ region, while fans in Ohio can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network.
As the Canadiens head into this matchup, they will be without defenceman Mike Matheson due to a lower-body injury. This means that young defenders Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson will have to carry a significant load, especially after a tough game the previous night. The team will be hoping to minimize their time on the penalty kill, which was a struggle last game.
Head coach Martin St-Louis has recently shuffled the line combinations, but the results have been underwhelming. The constant changes may be affecting the players’ performance, particularly those who have been struggling. The Canadiens will need to focus on getting shots on goal by pushing the puck to the net.
In net, Cayden Primeau will be starting after Samuel Montembeault led the team to overtime in the last game. Primeau is looking for his second win of the season while holding a goals-against average of 4.59. On the opposing side, Elvis Merzlikins also has a tough season, with a save percentage below .900, placing an emphasis on defensive play from both teams.
The projected lineup for the Canadiens features notable players including Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki on the wings, while the defensive pairings include Guhle and Hutson. Montreal’s bench will have Samuel Montembeault as the backup goaltender.
For the Blue Jackets, key players like Dmitri Voronkov and Sean Monahan will lead the attack, with Zach Werenski anchoring the defence alongside Dante Fabbro. Elvis Merzlikins will be the starter for Columbus, with Daniil Tarasov backing him up.
As both teams look to improve their standings, this game promises to be an exciting matchup in the NHL. Fans are eager to see if the Canadiens can turn things around and secure a much-needed win on the road against the Blue Jackets.
