Game Day Preview: Jets @ Canadiens

When: Sunday, February 5, 2012

Time: 1:00 p.m. CST

Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec

Records: Winnipeg (24-23-6), Montreal Canadiens (19-24-9)

Television/Radio: CBC, RDS / TSN 1290 Radio

The Story: The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a disappointing loss to Southeast division leader Florida Panthers, while the Montreal Canadiens lost less than 24 hours ago to the Washington Capitals.  Both teams are desperate for a win.

This will be the fourth and final game between these two teams this season, with Montreal currently holding a 2 wins and 1 loss advantage over Winnipeg.

The Jets scoring, or lack thereof, has been this team’s major downfall over the past 5 game, as they haven’t potted more than 2 goals since their 4-3 shootout loss to Florida back on January 21st.  Despite this drought, they could end the road trip 3 and 1 with a win in La Belle Province this afternoon.

The Habs are pulling out all the stops.  They had a sports psychologist stop by the other day to get the team more focused.  However, as Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette told the guys yesterday on the IC Hockey Show, he doesn’t expect interim head coach Randy Cunneyworth to be back next season and one has to wonder what impact that is having on the team.  Today is the one year anniversary of Scott Gomez ‘s last goal, the game-winner in a 2-0 Habs win over the New York Rangers.  Things are not good in Montreal and it doesn’t appear to be getting any better any time soon.

No major changes expected to either lineup.

Projected line combinations:

Goalie:

Ondrej Pavelec

Forwards:

1st: Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little- Blake Wheeler

2nd: Kyle Wellwood- Nikolai Antropov-Spencer Machacek

3rd: Tanner Glass- Jim Slater- Chris Thorburn

4th: Alexander Burmistrov-Aaron Gagnon-Antti Miettinen

Defence:

Tobias Enstrom-Dustin Byfuglien

Ron Hainsey-Zach Bogosian

Mark Stuart-Johnny Oduya

Offensive Leaders:

Montreal Canadiens: Erik Cole (19 goals, 20 assists, 39 points), Max Pacioretty (18 goals, 19 assists, 37 points), David Desharnais (10 goals, 26 assists, 36 points)

Winnipeg Jets: Blake Wheeler (10 goals, 25 assists, 35 points), Evander Kane (18 goals, 13 assists, 31 points), Kyle Wellwood (10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points)

Injury Report:

Montreal Canadiens: Travis Moen (upper body), Petteri Nokelainen (upper body), Ryan White (groin), Andrei Markov (ACL surgery), Brian Gionta (right bicep tear) and Michael Blunden (lower body) are all on injured reserve.

Winnipeg Jets: Kane (concussion), Stapleton (lower body).

Who’s Next: The Jets return home for a date with the Leafs on Tuesday, February 7th before heading back on the road to face the Capitals and Penguins.  After that it will be extended home visit as the Jets play 9 of the next 10 (and the one road game is to St. Paul, Minnesota) at the friendly confines of the MTS Centre.

QUICKIES…… Last 10 games: Winnipeg 4-5-1; Montreal 3-5-2…….Pick up your official Illegal Curve New Era 5950 Fitted Hat, available online or at City Haul on 823 Corydon Avenue…..