New York Islanders Hope Carey Price Doesn’t Show

The New York Islanders look to make good on a promising start to their franchise-record road trip by making it two-for-two in Montréal against Les Canadiens. So long as Carey Price wills it.

Thanks to the Ringling Brothers the New York Islanders are on the road for nine-straight games. A franchise record by the way. It started well with a good win against just-above-the-bottom Detroit Red Wings, and continues tonight against misleading-division-leaders the Montréal Canadiens.

Misleading because, while the Habs are in first place in the Atlantic their 72 points would have them fifth in the Metropolitan division. Which just highlights the weakness of the Atlantic and the strength of the Metro. Just in case you weren’t already aware after likely spending most of the day confronted with the standings over all your social media platforms.

The key tonight will be: solve Carey Price, or hope he doesn’t show.

With new head coach Claude Julien behind the bench, Price has started to revert back to his regular world-beating self. Posting a .938 and .933 SV% and flat 2.00 GAA against both the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Rangers.

If you saw that game against the Rangers, the Habs netminder was the sole reason Montréal escaped with the two points. Making a ridiculous save in overtime.

If the Islanders get the Carey Price that was between the pipes for Montréal just two weeks ago, one who put up an average .862 SV% and 4.00 GAA in the three games pre-Claude Julien, they should be able to take a valuable two points. On the flip side, if the Carey Price from two night ago shows up, it might be a long night.

Who’s Hot

Bailey just keeps on performing this year. It’s impossible to say anything negative about him this season. Which is a refreshing change for the Islanders fan base. For a long while, Josh Bailey was the often ridiculed and unappreciated Islander. But this season, Bailey is on pace to firmly eclipse his career high for points.

His previous high was 41 points form 2014-15. With 23 games left to play, Bailey is on pace for 57.

Who’s Not

Since that nice streak of putting up points in five of six games between January 24th and February 6th Brock Nelson has two from his next eight games played.

Send out the search party, Brock Nelson has disappeared again. You’d think Garth Snow would have them on speed dial with the frequency that Nelson pulls a David Copperfield. The magician, not the book.

New York Islanders Lineup

Lee-Tavares-Bailey                   Leddy-Boychuk
Nelson-Beauvillier-Strome    de Haan- Seidenberg
Ladd-Quine-Chimera               Hickey-Mayfield
Kulemin-Kearns-Gionta          Greiss (Berube)

Next: Isles Deserve Playoff Spot

Where to Catch the Game:

Live: 7:30pm, Bell Center
TV: MSG+
Radio: 660AM, 101.9FM – WFAN, 88.7FM WRHU