Canadiens Lineup
Forward lines
Artturi Lehkonen – Nick Suzuki – Tyler Toffoli
Paul Byron – Jake Evans – Josh Anderson
Mike Hoffman – Laurent Dauphin – Brendan Gallagher
Rem Pitlick – Ryan Poehling – Michael Pezzetta
Defense pairings
Ben Chiarot – Jeff Petry
Brett Kulak – Kale Clague
Alexander Romanov – Chris Wideman
Goaltenders
Sam Montembeault – Cayden Primeau
Scratches
Cedric Paquette
Injuries
David Savard (ankle), Christian Dvorak (upper-body), Jonathan Drouin (wrist), Jake Allen (lower-body), Mathieu Perreault (lower-body), Joel Edmundson (back), Carey Price (knee), Shea Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID-19 protocol
Joel Armia, Cole Caufield
Taxi squad
Michael McNiven
Game Report
With a week long break waiting for them starting on Monday, the Canadiens had every reason to leave it all on the ice in this game. Things started well with the top line of Nick Suzuki, Tyler Toffoli and Artturi Lehkonen combining to open the scoring just 1:19 into the game.
But the Blue Jackets struck for three straight goals on Sam Montembeault by the midway mark of the first period. And with that Montembeault’s night was done, having given up three (soft) goals on seven shots. The 25-year-old goaltender has been pulled in three of his last four starts.
Columbus wasted no time in welcoming Cayden Primeau to the crease scoring their fourth goal of the game just three minutes after he stepped on the ice.
Toffoli, Lehkonen and Suzuki brought the Canadiens within two scoring in the final minute of the second period.
And when Lehkonen scored a short-handed marker in the third period, there was hope that the Canadiens could make the comeback.
But when the Habs needed a save, Primeau could not come through, allowing Columbus to regain a two-goal lead midway through the third period.
It was the fourth straight game that Canadiens’ goaltenders have given up at least five goals and the 18th time this season.
Up Next
The Canadiens will host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, February 8 at the Bell Center.
Plus
â–² Artturi Lehkonen, Tyler Toffoli, Nick Suzuki
Minus
â–¼ Sam Montembeault, Cayden Primeau, Kale Clague, Rem Pitlick, Josh Anderson, Laurent Dauphin, Paul Byron, Mike Hoffman, Michael Pezzetta, Brett Kulak, Chris Wideman
Game Preview
Check out the game preview here: Leaders Welcomed Back | PREVIEW: CBJ @ MTL
