Canadiens vs. Islanders: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Islanders

How to watch

Start time: 7:30 PM EDT / 4:30 PM PDT
In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French)
In the Islanders region: MSG+
Elsewhere: NHL.tv / Rogers NHL Live

The home team was the far better side when the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders met last Thursday night at Nassau Coliseum. Despite that, the game finished in just a 2-1 score as the Islanders were repelled by Carey Price in a game that could have easily been a blowout.

Montreal will hope that they’ll get such a lopsided home-ice advantage this evening, but having a sound structural approach will help them be more a part of the action.

Even if they can shift the momentum in their favour, the Habs shouldn’t expect an offensive output any higher than the Islanders had a week ago. The Metropolitan team is currently set to have its tandem of goaltenders claim the Jennings Trophy at the end of the year for allowing the fewest goals. It has been a surprising season for a team that ranked at the bottom in that category last year.

The Islanders are set to claim a playoff spot should they be able to hold their form over the final stretch. If Montreal is to join them in that second season, they’ll need a good effort and a great result in front of their home fans tonight.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

New York Islanders projected lineup