The Montreal Canadiens have a great opportunity to quickly relegate to oblivion their 3-2 overtime loss suffered Tuesday evening against the Utah club, since they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets.
• Also read – The Canadian achieves a first in 15 years
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• Also read: Patrik Laine will accompany the team to Columbus
After one period, it’s tied 1 to 1.
FIRST PERIOD
(19:57) | The Montreal team ended the engagement poorly. Lane Hutson commits a turnover and Kaiden Guhle finds himself in the cell for his obstructive action. Columbus will be able to deploy its massive attack upon returning from the locker room.
(17:06) | Primeau saved his defense by frustrating Justin Danforth, who had just easily bypassed Jayden Struble.
(1:00 p.m.) MTL 1 CLB 1 | CH fans will be happy to know that Juraj Slafkovsky has found his touch again. On a two-on-one run, he beat Merzlikins with a wrist shot to score his first goal since October 14.
(9:08) MTL 0 CLB 1 | Justin Barron misses his coverage on Mathieu Olivier and the Quebecer capitalizes on his wandering by redirecting Zach Werenski’s pass behind Cayden Primeau.
Mathieu Olivier takes advantage of poor coverage from Barron –
(5:39) | Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins closes the door in the face of Alex Newhook, who thought he had given the Habs the lead. He robs the attacker with a superb save with his right pad on a return of Caufield’s throw.
Merzlikins vole Newhook –
(2:32) | The CH goes on a power play when Sean Kuraly hits Jake Evans with a stick too high. However, he cannot take advantage, even if Cole Caufield got a golden chance near the opposing net.
(0:00) | Start of the match.
A response required
Martin St-Louis’ men traveled to Columbus overnight to face the Blue Jackets, a club they beat 5-1 a little over a week ago.
“We have to respond with a victory,” proclaimed Brendan Gallagher following the defeat against Utah, a match in which the CH directed only 13 shots towards the opposing net.
On the sidelines since September 28, striker Patrik Laine made the trip to Ohio. However, he should not be in uniform for the match since he trained with the group of extra players in the morning. Mike Matheson will also be out for a second straight game with an injury that requires daily evaluation.
“We’re lucky to be able to get back together tonight” – Josh Anderson –
In the CH net, goalkeeper Cayden Primeau will get the start for the first time since November 11 in Buffalo. He allowed five goals on 14 shots before giving way to Samuel Montembeault in the third period.
So far this season, the New Jersey native has only one victory in five starts while maintaining an efficiency percentage of .842 and a goals against average of 4.59.
What’s more, he will face a club which has just won three victories since their defeat against CH. Dean Evason’s men beat the Boston Bruins, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes in quick succession.
After this meeting, CH will travel to New York to face the Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
