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

Montreal Canadiens @ New York Islanders

How to watch

Puck drop: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In Canada: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French)
In the Islanders region: MSG+2
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/Rogers NHL Live

The Canadiens lost their chance to claim top spot in the Atlantic Division with a loss to the team that held that position. With teams closely grouped in the early part of the season, failing to claim those two points has them down in a wild-card position instead.

The opponent tonight has seized its opportunities in the opening month of the season. The New York Islanders are on a five-game winning streak, which includes back-to-back victories over the Pittsburgh Penguins and, most recently, a shutout performance versus the New Jersey Devils.

While the record is very good for the Islanders, the underlying numbers are a bit concerning for Islanders fans. They rank 30th in the NHL in shots per game, averaging just over 26, and 29th in scoring-chances-for percentage at 42.2%. Their standing at the top is a precarious one, and the unrelenting pressure the Canadiens are able to apply could undermine that footing.

In a one-game scenario, there’s no guarantee that the better team will win — it hasn’t been the Islanders’ experience to this point of the season — but one of the 60-minute efforts Max Domi, Brendan Gallagher & co. are known for should set them up to begin the two-game trip with a victory.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders

New York Islanders projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders