GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs New York Islanders: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

A Look Back

The Habs had a bad game and the Blue Jackets made the most of it and didn’t look back. The Habs offense was nowhere to be found and put up a lowly 21 shots including only four in the first period. The Blue Jackets managed to control a lot of the game and stifled the Habs after getting an early lead.

Last game: MTL 1  CBJ 5  F

For a complete game recap: Under the Gun | RECAP: MTL @ CBJ

Players to Watch

• Carey Price
  It’s been 282 days since Price last led his team out on the ice for a game. Tonight he will be warmly welcomed back to the Bell Centre as recognition for his perseverance this past year and recognition as one of the greatest goaltenders ever to play.
• Nick Suzuki
  Suzuki is dealing with an injury causing him to skip practice for most of this week. But he will be in the lineup hoping to reach the 20-goal plateau this season for the first time in his career.
• Joel Armia
  Armia had a great start to the last game showing plenty of speed. Armia needs to carry that type of effort into tonight’s game and continue to bring that physical element to his game.

Keys to Victory

• Use speed
  The Isles play a very defensive system and the Habs need to attack it with speed and be relentless on the forecheck.
• Create offence
  After a tough game generating any offense at all the Habs have to have a shoot first mentality. Keep it simple, no extra passing, shoot with traffic and crash the net for rebounds.
• Rely on depth
  The Habs depth will be tested against a very deep Isles team, while the Isles lack a bit of a scoring punch. All four lines play hard against and never give up anything easy which will test the Habs.

2021-22  statistics

• “It’s a comforting feeling as a teammate of his when you see [Carey Price] getting ready for a game.”

Bottom Line