New York Islanders-Montreal Canadiens: Carey Price Steals The Show

Saturday night was not a kind one to the New York Islanders as Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens have extended the Isles home ice misery, 3-1.

The New York Islanders very much needed to get two points and snap their current home game losing streak where they have been so dominant this season. It has been a tough week so far for the Isles. Monday they dropped a tough game to the New York Rangers, last night The Ottawa Senators backed with superior goaltending put the Islanders away 2-1 as well.

3. 152. . 1. 106.

3 Stars of the Game:

Carey Price (MON) – 35 Saves
Max Pacioretty (MON) – 1 Goal
Tomas Plekanec (MON) – 1 Goal

The Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Rangers are all in a heated battle for top in the East. The Isles could not afford to have another of their division rivals walk into their building and leave with two points. The Canadians lead the season series two games to none. This is the third and final regular season game between the two.

The Islanders came into the game with the third best offense in the league as the Habs are the leagues best defense making for a pure battle. In goal for he Canadiens was Carey Price who is having a Vezina season, for the Islanders Michal Neuvirth made his Nassau Coliseum debut and his third official start for his new team.

The Canadiens have a killing you slowly way about them. They frustrated the Isles from the start of the game not allowing the Isles much room to get anything started. The Habs opened the scoring at 00:58 in the second as Thomas Plekanec scored off a wrist shot to take the one goal lead.

As play continued you coud see the Islanders spinning their wheels unable to get anything going. then at 3:13 Neuvirth miss played the puck from behind the goal where Lars Eller was there catching him out of position and through the puck to the front of the goal where Max Pacioretty was there to bang in the Shorthanded goal, which was a pretty much an empty net.

Again the Islanders powerplay was non-existent going 0-5. They were awarded a PP at 4:11 in the third hoping to generate some offense, the Habs kept them at bay. It is obvious the Islanders are missing Nick Leddy when it comes to the PP. They are 0-12 since he has been out.

Finally Josh Bailey at 2:18 put one behind price banging it home from the slot. The Islanders pulled Neuvirth again trying to force overtime but Lars Eller got control of the puck and put away an empty net goal. The Canadians frustrated the Isles the entire night.

The story of the night was most definitely the Hart Trophy front-runner in Price. Not only did he stop 35 Islanders shots and take home first star of the game honors, but he found enough time to take a selfie with a young Habs fan during a timeout.

With the Rangers winning against the Sabres they are beginning to pull away from their cross town rivals in the standings. The Isles are off to Chicago to play the Blackhawks on Tuesday then end the week in New Jersey Saturday against the Devils.

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