Blue Jackets at Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens appear to be hitting their stride for the stretch run and will go for their fourth consecutive victory when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. A pair of third-period outbursts fueled the three-game winning streak for the Canadiens, who are also finally getting the anticipated offensive boost from newcomer Thomas Vanek. Montreal, which is even in points with Tampa Bay for second place in the Atlantic Division, has won both meetings with Columbus this season.
While the Canadiens are back on track, the Blue Jackets have squandered a chance to solidify a postseason slot by alternating wins and losses over their last six games - including a 3-1 setback at home to struggling Carolina on Tuesday night. Columbus is tied with Washington - but has two games in hand - and leads Detroit by one point for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets have won three of their past four road games and four straight overall against Atlantic Division foes.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS (Montreal), FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (35-27-6): Forward Jared Boll, sidelined since suffering a torn ligament on Nov. 22, was activated off injured reserve Wednesday and will provide an extra body for a grueling stretch to close the season. “He wants to be part of this final stretch drive," coach Todd Richards said. "He’s a big part of this team, a big part of this franchise. The people in Columbus love him." The Blue Jackets will play their last 14 games in a 24-day span, including the final eight contests in 12 days - the most games any team has played in the final 12 days of a season since Quebec in 1979-80.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (38-25-7): Vanek, who started the season in Buffalo before being dealt to the New York Islanders, had only one point in five games since he was acquired at the trade deadline, but he broke out with a hat trick against Colorado. Vanek had failed to score a goal in 13 of his previous 14 contests so his big night that featured two power-play tallies was a welcome relief. “You have to give a guy time to adapt to his surroundings,” linemate David Desharnais said after Tuesday's win. “I think Thomas had his share of scoring chances in other games, but he just didn't connect. Tonight he did."
OVERTIME
1. Richards said he was unsure whether Sergei Bobrovsky will make a 16th straight start or fellow G Curtis McElhinney will get the nod against the Canadiens.
2. Desharnais is riding a four-game point streak and has two goals and nine assists in his last 10 contests.
3. Columbus is 0-for-18 on the power play over the past six games while Montreal has killed off 16 straight short-handed situations.