GAME DAY | Islanders – Canadiens: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV
Caitlyn Golem
Game Preview by Caitlyn Golem
Last game: MTL 3 BOS 4 (SO)
Montreal had the lead at multiple points during the game but ultimately ended up losing 4-3 in a shootout. Canadiens’ forward, Phillip Danault, took a shot to the head during the second period and had to be taken off by stretcher. It was announced on Sunday morning that Danault had been released from hospital and was able to head back home where he will continue his recovery.
John Tavares
Tavares leads his team in points with 52, ranking him seventh in the league.
Alex Galchenyuk
Scoring a power play goal in the last two games, Galchenyuk is proving to be a threat with the man advantage.
Max Pacioretty
After being held to just a single goal over a 22 game span prior to scoring in his last three. He seems to have gotten the monkey off his back so more goals are likely to follow.
Keys to Victory
Make the most of chances
The Canadiens are 21st in the league in shots per game whereas the Islanders are 30th. Montreal needs to exploit that advantage.
Score early and often
The Islanders have had shaky goaltending from Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss all season, ranking 31st in the league in goals against per game.
Bury power-play opportunities
The Isles are 30th in the league on the penalty-kill. Canadiens need to make their power-play count.
Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 15, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, NBCSN
2017-18 statistics
ISLANDERS
CANADIENS
48 (22nd)
Points (rank)
41 (28th)
22-18-4
Record
18-20-5
9-13-1
Away/Home
11-8-4
4-5-1
Last 10
4-5-1
3.41
GF/G
2.53
3.61
GA/G
3.05
20.5
PP%
19.2
73.9
PK%
77.8
49.14
CF%
51.24
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Lee – Tavares – Quine
Beauvillier – Barzal – Eberle
Dal Colle – Nelson – Prince
Chimera – Fritz – Clutterbuck
Pacioretty – Byron – Hudon
Galchenyuk – Drouin – Carr
Lehkonen – Plekanec – Gallagher
Deslauriers – De La Rose – Froese
Defensemen
Leddy – Mayfield
Pelech – Aho
Hickey – Pulock
Alzner – Petry
Benn – Jerabek
Mete – Schlemko
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Seidenberg
Injured: Cizikas, de Haan, Boychuk, Kulemin, Bailey, Ladd