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New York Islanders Tangle With a League Leading Habs

Nov 22, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Flynn (32) and New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) collide during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Flynn (32) and New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) collide during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Islanders end a five-game home stand against a Montréal Canadiens team that finds itself on the top of the standings early in the season, again. Can the Isles bring them back to earth?

The New York Islanders are 3-1-0 at home during their current five-game home stand. Next in town are the red hot Montréal Canadiens.

Much like last season the Canadiens are leading the league table with 11 points from six games. A big factor in their current form is of course Carrey Price. Oh, and Al Montoya.

The ex-Isles keeper is enjoying some sort of renaissance in Montréal. In three games played the 31-year-old has a squeaky clean 1.30 GAA and a .962 SV%.

So if you thought the Islanders were going to get a break between the pipes because Price was going to sit, think again. Although, we know Montoya the real Montoya.

Scoring Touch Might Continue

But then again, with nine goals in two games the Islanders have seemingly found their scoring touch. Led by none other that John Tavares with two goals and a helper against the Minnesota Wild a few days ago.

Not only is Tavares finding the net, but the Isles defense is getting in on the action. Boychuk, de Haan, and Hickey all got in on the goal fest that was the game against the Wild. It was the second in the same number of nights for Boychuk who popped a shorthanded goal against the Coyotes.

We’ve seen Montoya. We know he isn’t this .962 SV% goaltender. His average is .911 over the length of his career. Which means, at some point, the floodgates are going to open.

And the Isles feel like the team in the right position to push the lever. The Isles are scoring in bunches. Our captain is back on track. And Ladd has to break his goalless streak at some point.

Both teams are trending in opposite direction. The Isles are better than their record shows, and the Habs have to lose at some point.

Next: Can the Real Ryan Strome Please Stand Up?

Where to catch the game:

Arena: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NYC
TV: SN1, MSG+, RDS
Radio: WNYM AM970, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9FM LI NEWS

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