Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (national), FDSNOH (Blue Jackets local), SNE / TVAS / CITY (Canadiens local)
Radio: 97.1 The Fan / CBJ app (Blue Jackets), Sportsnet 590 / TSN Radio (Canadiens)
This late-season Eastern Conference matchup carries significant playoff implications as both teams fight for positioning in the final stretch. The Blue Jackets (5th in the Metropolitan) visit the Canadiens (2nd/3rd in the Atlantic, playoff-clinched) in what could be a high-stakes battle for home-ice advantage or wild-card seeding. Montréal enters as the clear home favorite with superior depth, while Columbus looks to play spoiler despite a depleted roster and recent road struggles.
Team Records and Standings Context
Columbus Blue Jackets (39-28-12, ~90 points): 5th in Metropolitan Division. Solid + goal differential but 19-17-4 on the road; they remain in the wild-card hunt but injuries have tested their consistency.
Montréal Canadiens (47-22-10, ~104 points): 2nd/3rd in Atlantic Division (playoff-clinched). Strong + goal differential, excellent home record (~22-13-2), and one of the East’s top teams with elite special teams and goaltending.
Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)
Columbus Blue Jackets (2-3-0):
L 5-0 @ Buffalo (4/9)
L 2-1 vs. Winnipeg (4/4)
W 4-3 vs. Detroit (4/7)
Mixed results with defensive lapses in recent losses but offensive flashes in wins.
Montréal Canadiens (4-1-0):
W vs. recent opponents (including shootout wins and strong home play)
8-game win streak snapped earlier but overall resilient form with timely scoring.
Injury Report
Columbus Blue Jackets (significant absences):
Damon Severson (D) – Out for season (shoulder surgery)
Brendan Smith (D) – Out for season (knee)
Mathieu Olivier (RW) – Out for season (upper body)
Dmitri Voronkov (LW) – Out (hand; week-to-week, possible return target)
Blue line and forward depth are heavily compromised, forcing reliance on younger call-ups.
Montréal Canadiens (moderate depth hits):
Alexandre Carrier (D) – Out (upper body; 2-4 weeks)
Patrik Laine (RW) – Out (abdomen)
Kirby Dach (C) – Out (upper body)
Joe Veleno (C) – Day-to-Day (illness)
Montréal remains relatively healthy up front compared to Columbus.
Key Player Matchups
Kirill Marchenko / Adam Fantilli (CBJ) vs. Canadiens defense (without Carrier): Columbus relies on its young scorers; Montréal’s structure could limit them.
Cole Caufield / Nick Suzuki / Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) vs. Blue Jackets blue line: Montréal’s star trio provides elite speed and finishing against a depleted Columbus back end.
Goaltending: Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ) vs. Sam Montembeault / Canadiens tandem: Merzlikins faces heavy pressure; Montréal’s home goaltending has been a strength.
Special teams: Canadiens power play vs. Blue Jackets penalty kill (impacted by absences).
Montréal holds clear edges in most individual battles due to health and home advantage.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
The teams have split the season series 1-1 (or Canadiens 1-0-1):
March 26, 2026: Canadiens 2, Blue Jackets 1 (at Montréal)
Earlier meeting: Competitive result favoring Montréal slightly.
Games have been low-scoring and tight, with Montréal owning recent home success in the rivalry.
Betting Trends
Canadiens are strong as home favorites and have covered well lately.
Blue Jackets are 19-17-4 on the road and have struggled ATS as underdogs with injuries.
Totals trend slightly under in structured defensive games; public leans Montréal.
Game Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets 6.5
Montréal Canadiens – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 10, 2026
