The games just keep getting bigger and bigger.
The Columbus Blue Jackets play host to the Montreal Canadiens tonight at Nationwide Arena, with the winner of the game (in regulation) taking hold of the final wild card spot with just a few remaining weeks in the regular season. The Canadiens currently hold that spot, being two points ahead of the Blue Jackets, but with one more game played.
The Blue Jackets are picking up some steam, winning their past two games with a combined scored of 9-0, the most recent victory over the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
Montreal is on a hot(ter) streak of their own, picking up points in each of their past six games, going 5-0-1. Tonight should be a fun one in Columbus, folks.
Here's tonight's preview:
FORWARDS
Panarin - Dubois - Atkinson
Dzingel - Duchene - Anderson
Wennberg - Jenner - Bjorkstrand
Dubinsky - Nash - Foligno
DEFENSEMEN
Werenski - Jones
Nutivaara - Savard
Kukan - McQuaid
GOALTENDERS
Bobrovsky/Korpisalo
STORYLINES
- Don't be surprised to see Sergei Bobrovsky play the final six games for Columbus as he in the middle of one of his hottest streaks ever as a member of the Blue Jackets. In his last eight starts, Bobrovsky has recorded three shutouts, a 1.25 GAA and a .957 save percentage. It's likely too late in the season for a third Vezina Trophy push, but that's quite alright. The question we need to think about now is, will Bobrovsky continue his hot play tonight against the Canadiens?
- Ryan Dzingel seems to be finding his way with the Blue Jackets, and it's come at a great time. He has nine points in his 15 games as a Blue Jackets, and is currently riding a three-game point streak. If the the line of him, Matt Duchene and Josh Anderson can continue to produce, the Blue Jackets could have a scary top-six come playoff time (if that time comes).
- The Montreal Canadiens take pride in the depth of their lineup, boasting a roster that has 12 players with at least ten goals on the season. And even though they rank last in the NHL in power play conversion rate at 12.44%, they have one of the better even-strength offenses in the league, being ranked sixth in goals for. So, the game plan for tonight for the Blue Jackets is...take some penalties? We're only sort of kidding.