Canadiens Game 22: Montembeault Starts, Armia Enters Lineup

The Montreal Canadiens (9-10-2) are in Ohio to face the Columbus Blue Jackets(7-12-4) on Wednesday. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.

Montreal is coming off a rather disheartening loss versus the Los Angeles Kings, in which the team failed to produce any semblance of a cohesive effort.

It was a reality check for the Habs, as they had managed to win two games in a row on the West Coast, however, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks were much easier opponents than the contending Kings.

The game against the Blue Jackets provides the Canadiens with an opportunity to get things back on track, in an attempt to improve their underlying numbers, which have worsened this season compared to the team’s start in 2022-23.

MUST READ: Habs Stats – Comparing The Canadiens’ Start To Last Season

Veteran Joel Armia will enter the lineup, taking truculent forward Michael Pezzetta’s place on the fourth line. The defensive group will remain the same as they were on the previous outing.

Head coach Martin St-Louis announced that goaltender Samuel Montembeault will face the Blue Jackets.

Cayden Primeau is not in Ohio, because St-Louis also confirmed that he will face the Florida Panthers tomorrow in Montreal.

#Habs Martin St-Louis confirms Cayden Primeau headed back to Montreal earlier this morning because he'll get the start tomorrow night vs. #TimeToHunt

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) November 29, 2023

As for Columbus, they’re currently the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference, with just 18 points. Only the Ottawa Senators have registered fewer points this season, with 16.

The Blue Jackets are just 3-7-1 in their last 10 matchups and rank below the Canadiens in both goals per game and goals against per game. They did manage to beat the Bruins in their last game, a 5-2 win that also featured 40 shots by Pascal Vincent’s team.

After a relatively good start to the season, 2023 third-overall pick Adam Fantilli’s production has slowed. The 18-year-old currently has four goals and six assists in 10 games.

Boone Jenner is the team’s leading scorer, with 11 goals and five assists, with defenceman Zack Werenski providing a healthy amount of offence from the blue line, as evidenced by his 15 points in 21 games.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• David Savard (out 6-8 weeks)
• Carey Price (IR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)
• Kirby Dach (out indefinitely, ACL/MCL)
• Arber Xhekaj (IR)
• Rafael Harvey-Pinard (IR)
• Jordan Harris (out indefinitely)

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Damon Severson (out)
• Jack Roslovic (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lineup

Gaudreau – Jenner – Marchenko

Voronko – Fantilli – Laine

Texier – Sillinger – Chinakhov

Robinson – Kurarly – Danforth

Defence:

Werenski – Boqvist

Provorov – Jiricek

Bean – Gudbranson

Goalies:

Merzlikins

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