MTL@CBJ: What you need to know

On By Pranco

TEAM COMPARISON

Onwards and upwards. That’s the Canadiens’ mentality after Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Utah Hockey Club at the Bell Centre. Penalties disrupted the flow of the game – and seemed to bring Montreal’s to a halt as well – as the Habs directed just thirteen shots toward Utah’s net. Still, they had a slim 2-1 lead early in the final frame, the kind of game they expected on home ice. But what’s done is done, and the Canadiens can put the result behind them with a win in the second half of their back-to-back against a Columbus team they have dominated in recent memory. Montreal has won six straight against the Blue Jackets, outscoring their opponents 27-9 during that stretch.

But don’t sleep on the Blue Jackets, especially at Nationwide Arena, where they boast an impressive 7-3-0 record this season. After three straight wins, Columbus’ offense was red hot, lighting the lamp 17 times since being hammered by the Canadiens at the Bell Center on Nov. 16. Scoring in bunches has been a theme for Dean Evason’s side, who have scored five. or more goals in six of their 10 games on home ice this season, including in each of their previous three. While their offense was red hot, their defense was… ice cold. Keeping the puck out of their own goal remains Columbus’ Achilles heel, which ranks fourth in the league.

SEASONAL SERIES

November 16 vs. CBJ: 5-1 MTL

November 27 @ CBJ:

December 23 @ CBJ:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cole Caufield has six points in his last six games but hasn’t found the back of the net since Nov. 11. Look for the Habs sharpshooter to break that streak in Columbus, where emotions will run high as he takes the ice at his late friend Johnny Gaudreau’s housing development.

Zach Werenski – the NHL’s first star of the week – is on an absolute tear for the Blue Jackets. The 27-year-old has totaled 10 points in his last five games, including a five-point performance from a week ago that tied the franchise record for most points in a single game and set a new record for defensemen Columbus. Werenski’s 20 points in 20 games in 2024-25 are tied for second among NHL blueliners.

IN THE NUMBERS: HABS JACKETS

Here’s how the Canadiens and Blue Jackets match up by numbers: