Canadiens Preview: Blue Jackets Represent Desperate Opponent
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images The Montreal Canadiens (47-22-10) will face the Columbus Blue Jackets (39-18-2) on Saturday, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET. This will be the final home game of the season for the Habs, and they will be facing an opponent that is desperately clinging onto the idea that the playoffs are still a legitimate possibility. While the Canadiens have already clinched their ticket to springtime hockey, the Blue Jackets are currently four points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with just three games left to play.
They’re also behind the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Islanders, which is why their playoff odds stand at just 14%. With that in mind, expect Saturday’s game to include all the usual shenanigans, not to mention a heightened dose of intensity from the Blue Jackets. And though the Canadiens no longer have to worry about qualifying, they can still surpass the Buffalo Sabres for first place in the Atlantic Division.
To do so, they’ll likely need to win at least two of the three remaining games, while hoping the Sabres drop their final match ups. It’s a long shot, but not out of the realm of possible, which suggests the Canadiens will also be eager to emerge with a victory, just as they did when they beat the Blue Jackets 2-1 on March 26. It should also be noted that captain Nick Suzuki will take centre stage in the final games of the year, now that both his linemates have reached impressive goal marks.
Cole Caufield scored his 50th goal of the season on Thursday versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Juraj Slafkovsky secured the win with his 30th goal of the year. As per tradition, Suzuki assisted on both plays, which means he is now just two points shy of 100. He’s also the highest scoring captain in Canadiens history, yet another feather in his cap.
Lineup Changes Seeing as the Canadiens will face the New York Islanders on Sunday, both Jakub Dobes Jacob Fowler will start a game this weekend. Dobes will likely face the Blue Jackets, with Samuel Montembeault serving as his backup, while Fowler prepares to start against the Islanders. Update: Dobes is confirmed to be Montreal’s starter.