Montreal @ Columbus preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 19, 2019 ) Columbus 2, Montreal 3

Sergei Bobrovsky has played a starring role in keeping the Columbus Blue Jackets on the cusp of a postseason appearance. After recording back-to-back shutouts and three in his last four, the two-time Vezina Trophy recipient bids to help the Blue Jackets pull even in points with the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference on Thursday when the teams meet in Columbus, Ohio.

Bobrovsky has turned aside 120 of 123 shots in his last four outings for the Blue Jackets, who improved to 4-0-1 in their last five outings following Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the New York Islanders. "He told me a couple weeks ago he is good mentally, he is good physically," Columbus coach John Tortorella said. "He's been good for a while now, and he's going to have to keep on being better because we have to get on his shoulders as we go through these last half-dozen games." The Blue Jackets have won a season high-tying four in a row at home heading into Thursday's pivotal contest versus Montreal, which is riding the strong play of its own former Vezina Trophy recipient to cling to the final wild-card spot. Carey Price, who made 33 saves in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over Florida, has yielded 13 goals in his last eight contests overall and owns a 9-3-1 mark in 13 career encounters with Columbus.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), FS Ohio (Columbus)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (41-28-8): Tomas Tatar recorded his second three-point performance in three games on Tuesday to continue what arguably could be construed as the best season of his career, and he'll likely get no argument from the Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old, who boosted his point total to a career-best 57 after collecting two goals and an assist against the Panthers, scored twice in a 4-1 win in Columbus on Jan. 18 before tallying again versus the Blue Jackets in a 3-2 victory on Feb. 19. Artturi Lehkonen scored for the second time in his last three games to lift his goal total to 10, giving Montreal an NHL-best 12 skaters in double digits in that regard.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (42-30-4): Matt Duchene recorded his 20th multi-point performance of the season and second with Columbus after setting up a pair of goals against the Islanders. The 28-year-old collected a goal and two assists against Montreal while playing for Ottawa while fellow former Senator Ryan Dzingel has found his stride by scoring a goal in his second consecutive contest to extend his point streak to three games. Artemi Panarin, who tallied for the first time in March on Tuesday, also has set up four goals in his last seven contests to boost his team-leading totals in assists (52) and points (78).

OVERTIME

1. Montreal C Max Domi has eight (five goals, three assists) of his team-leading 68 points in his last eight games.

2. Columbus D Seth Jones has scored one goal and set up four others during his five-game point streak at home.

3. Montreal D Phillip Danault scored on Tuesday to snap a 20-game goal drought and move within one point of 50 for the first time in his career.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Canadiens 2