The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping for another two points after a close call against the Detroit Red Wings. They will take on another Atlantic Division opponent in the Montreal Canadiens. The matchup will provide major playoff implications for the Blue Jackets
The Canadiens aren't at full health but they do have goaltender Antti Niemi firing on all cylinders. After starting the year slowly he is standing tall and helping the Canadiens pick up points.
VIDEO: John Tortorella
#CBJ head coach John Tortorella talks about the chemistry among the lines and his mindset in the final stretch: pic.twitter.com/DOrrI405z6
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 11, 2018
Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Artemi Panarin | 69 GP, 21-39-60 | 18 | Pierre-Luc Dubois | 69 GP, 15-22-37 | 13 | Cam Atkinson | 53 GP, 13-16-29 |
| 22 | Sonny Milano | 42 GP, 11-5-16 | 71 | Nick Foligno | 65 GP, 14-13-27 | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand | 69 GP, 10-25-35 |
| 26 | Thomas Vanek | 6 GP, 2-1-3 | 10 | Alexander Wennberg | 54 GP, 6-21-27 | 38 | Boone Jenner | 62 GP, 7-16-23 |
| 11 | Matt Calvert | 57 GP, 8-13-21 | 17 | Brandon Dubinsky | 51 GP, 5-10-15 | 55 | Mark Letestu | 7 GP, 1-0-1 |
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 65 GP, 14-18-32 | 3 | Seth Jones | 69 GP, 13-33-46 |
| 7 | Jack Johnson | 69 GP, 3-6-9 | 27 | Ryan Murray | 34 GP, 1-5-6 |
| 23 | Ian Cole | 7 GP, 1-1-2 | 58 | David Savard | 68 GP, 4-9-13 |
| # | Player | GS | W-L-OL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | Sergei Bobrovsky | 55 | 29-21-5 | 2.43 | .920 | 4 |
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 14 | 7-7-0 | 3.19 | .902 | 0 |
Three Storylines
- Mr. Jones: Defenseman Seth Jones has five points in his last two games and he is red-hot. He can't do wrong on the ice right now and he shows no signs of stopping. Although he took a maintenance day on Sunday, he will be able to go fully against the Canadiens. Considering the Canadiens aren't nearly as mobile as the Blue Jackets defensively, it'll be an interesting test.
- Defense to Offense: It isn't just Seth Jones making an impact out there. Zach Werenski is putting up points and David Savard with Ian Cole has brough stability to the unit as well. They have a decided advantage as a unit against other teams. They'll lean heavily on them during the last 13 games of the season.
- Road Warriors: The Montreal Canadiens are on a season long road trip and will be ending it against the Blue Jackets. They don't have many wins to show for it and for a club with not much to play for, the Blue Jackets will need to keep the pedal to the metal to continue their recent winning streak.
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