The Islanders head to Montreal to test their worth against another “beatable” team.
Having finally secured a third-period lead against the perennially short Sabres, the Islanders now head to Montreal to face the rebuilding Canadiens, one of the few teams to lose to the Rangers in recent days.
The Canadiens have a .396 points percentage, which is better than only the Chicago Blackhawks, another Original Six franchise on its way to a Bottom Six season.
If the Isles blow this…
First Islanders Goal picks for tonight go here.
Islanders News
- Practice updates: J-G Pageau was back at practice and will be a gametime decision. Marcus Hogberg was also recalled on an emergency basis for practice, but Semyon Varlamov did travel with the team to Montreal. [Isles]
- The Isles are thrilled to have Pageau back. [Newsday]
- If Pageau returns, that could affect freshly scratched Pierre Engvall, who is at a crossroads with the Isles (…except he’s got half a decade left on his contract, so is he really?). [THN]
- Previewing tonight. [Isles]
- Roy has been pretty clear in public about why Engvall is sitting, though the player sounds a little confused. [Post]
- Prospect Report: Quinn Finley and Jessi Nurmi are hot in the NCAA and OHL, respectively. [Isles]
- Meanwhile, Cole Eiserman makes USA’s WJC camp roster. [THN]
Elsewhere
Monday’s NHL scores featured three games, including the Devils stomping the Rangers.
- Another stumble for the Senators…do they still have hope for this season? [Sportsnet]
- The Sharks are feeling good with their two top Boston NCAA rookies shining. [NHL]
- Jeff Skinner has been fined $2,000 for repeat diving offenses. [TSN]
- Sergei Bobrovsky is expecting a baby, so Chris Driedger gets a recall for some NHL time; he last played in the NHL with Seattle. [TSN]
- In other goalie news, the Hurricanes signed 35-year-old journeyman Dustin Tokarski to a two-way deal in the wake of the latest injury to Frederik Andersen. [TSN]