CBJ@MTL: What you need to know

MONTREAL - The Canadiens continue a three-game homestand when they welcome the Blue Jackets to the Bell Centre on Thursday.

Here's what you need to know heading into the game :

1. The Canadiens look to clean up Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils with a bounce back effort against the Jackets. Justin Barron, who broke the deadlock in the early stages against New Jersey, has found the back of the net in consecutive contests for Montreal. Meanwhile, Mike Matheson nettted his first of the season with a highlight reel effort in the final frame against the Devils, but Tyler Toffoli’s hat trick ultimately put the game out of reach as the clock winded down on Tuesday. Cayden Primeau made 29 saves in his first start of the season for the Habs.

2. Columbus comes to Montreal looking to get back on track after suffering defeat at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday. Emil Bemstrom and Adam Fantilli – the 2023 second-overall pick – scored for the Jackets, but it was Ducks who got the last laugh in overtime. The teams own identical 3-2-1 records for a total of seven points ahead of their first matchup of the year.

3. The Canadiens' bad luck on the injury front continued earlier this week, as the team announced that defenseman David Savard will miss six to eight week with a fracture to his left hand. Savard suffered the injury in Monday’s game against the Sabres. Gustav Lindström was recalled on an emergency basis from the Laval Rocket on Tuesday and dressed for his first game as Hab against the Devils. Martin St-Louis' contingent benefitted from a day off on Wednesday, meaning any possible changes to the lineup will be known at Thursday’s morning skate.

4. Thursday night’s progamming will feature the first Molson Concert Series performance of the season outdoors at Canadiens Plaza, as it returns for its second season. Gab Bouchard will rock the crowd at the pregame party as well as the fans at home on the Canadiens official Twitch channel from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Then, stick with us after the game for a second show, as Naomi performs a set on the outdoor stage.

5. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. For tickets, click here. You can catch all the action on TSN2 or RDS on television, or listen in on TSN 690 or 98,5 fm on the radio.