Canadiens Game 17: Montembeault Starts, Matheson Not Ready

The Montreal Canadiens (8-7-1) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (5-9-1) on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.

Following a frustrating game against the New Jersey Devils, the Canadiens will look to get back to their winning ways against a Blue Jackets team that has struggled mightily to start the season.

In addition to their difficult start, Columbus has been hit with an unreasonably long list of injuries, which includes key players such as Zach Werenski, Jakub Voracek, and Patrik Laine.

But despite missing a significant portion of their ideal lineup, the Blue Jackets did manage earn a win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, a game which saw their starter, Elvis Merzlikins, leave with an injury. Joonas Korpisalo is expected to start tonight for Columbus.

The Blue Jackets also lost yet another player recently, defenceman Jake Bean, further decimating a blue line that is already missing key elements.

I would assume with Jake Bean's news not being good, that Gavin Bayreuther would enter the lineup in his place. #CBJ

— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) November 17, 2022

As was the case when he played for Calgary, newcomer Johnny Gaudreau drives the Blue Jackets offence, leading the team with 6 goals and 7 assists in 13 games. The Canadiens will also want to keep a closer eye on Boone Jenner, who has 5 goals in his last 4 games.

Samuel Montembeault will make the start for the Canadiens, and he’ll look to continue his impressive ways.

Since the start of the season Montembeault has provided the Canadiens with fantastic goaltending, and consequently, has become one of the best value players on the team.

Captain Nick Suzuki was held off the scoresheet against the Devils, only the fifth time he’s failed to register a point this season, and will aim to return to his regular scoring rhythm. He’s fighting an inflated shooting percentage, which will make the task a little more complicated.

Mike Matheson is skating with the team, but he has not yet been cleared to play.

Canadiens Injuries

• Jonathan Drouin (upper-body injury, 3-4 weeks)
• Joel Armia (upper-body injury, day-to-day)
• Emil Heineman (IR)
• Mike Matheson (IR)
• Carey Price (LTIR)
• Paul Byron (LTIR)

Blue Jackets Injuries

• Patrik Laine (IR)
• Zach Werenski (IR)
• Elvis Merzlikins (1-2 weeks)
• Jake Bean (day-to-day)
• Jakub Voracek (IR)
• Adam Boqvist (IR)
• Nick Blankenburg (IR)
• Justin Danforth (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines

Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines

Gaudreau – Jenner – Bemstrom

Chinakhov – Sillinger – Nyquist

Foudy – Gaunce – Johnson

Robinson – Kuraly -Olivier

Defence:

Gavrikov – Bjork

Christiansen – Gudbranson

Bayreuther – Peeke

Goalies:

Korpisalo

Tarasov

Special Teams

Game Notes:

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