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During his pregame press conference, interim head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed a couple of lineup changes.
Tyler Pitlick will take Jesse Ylonen's spot in the lineup. Ylonen was reassigned to the AHL's Laval Rocket following Monday night's loss to Winnipeg.
Chris Wideman will also replace Corey Schueneman on defense.
Sam Montembeault will make his second straight start. He was outstanding against the Jets, stopping 31 of 34 shots in a 4-2 defeat at the Bell Centre.
Video: Martin St-Louis' pregame press conference
Savard, Anderson return to Columbus
It's a big night for David Savard and Josh Anderson, both of whom are playing their first games at Nationwide Arena since their respective departures from the Blue Jackets.
Savard played 597 games over 10 seasons for the organization before being traded to the Lightning last April, and his connection to the city remains as strong as ever.
"It's going to be special tonight. As soon as we landed, it was my first time back in Columbus, and you just feel right at home a little bit. It kind of feels like you never left," said Savard, a fourth-round pick of the Blue Jackets in 2009. "We have so many good memories here. I had three kids here, and it feels like home. I just love Columbus to death. We'll come back and visit. There's a bunch of friends we have here, so it's a special town for me."
Video: David Savard on feeling at home in Columbus
Anderson, meanwhile, played 267 games over six seasons for the Ohio-based franchise before being acquired by the Canadiens in October 2020 in the Max Domi trade.
"My time here in Columbus, I loved every minute of it. We had a great team here and a lot of great memories. It's nice to be back," said Anderson, a fourth-round selection of the Blue Jackets in 2012. "I'm going to enjoy tonight and take it all in."
Tweet from @CanadiensMTL: Un habitu�� de la place.Back in his old barn.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/FQ4V1xwBoY
Love for the city
On Wednesday night, Savard and Anderson had dinner with former Blue Jackets teammates Boone Jenner and Andrew Peeke.
No doubt there was some serious reminiscing going on.
Both Habs veterans still speak highly of their time in the state capital.
"It's just the community. They're so welcoming. You feel right at home, and just the feel around the city," replied Savard, when asked to share his favorite aspect of Columbus. "I had kids, so it was a great town to raise a family. There's just a bunch of stuff to do with the kids, too. There's a feel to it that it's special."
Video: Josh Anderson on returning to Columbus
Anderson shared a glowing review as well.
"I loved everything. I tell people all the time, if they're not really familiar with the city of Columbus, that they don't get to experience it when they come in for one night or two nights," mentioned Anderson. "I was fortunate enough to live downtown. I spent a lot of time down there. It's just a great overall city. Nice people, very clean, so it's great to be back."
