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Islanders vs. Montreal: Odds, Lineups, Keys, TV and more

By Kieran Hurley |
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Scott Mayfield #24 of the New York Islanders checks Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 14, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Scott Mayfield #24 of the New York Islanders checks Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 14, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 14: Scott Mayfield #24 of the New York Islanders checks Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 14, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 14: Scott Mayfield #24 of the New York Islanders checks Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 14, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens at the Barclays Center tonight. Here’s everything to know about the matchup.

The New York Islanders will be back in Brooklyn tonight and are looking for a win after dropping their last three games (0-1-2). Last time out the Islanders lost to the Bruins 4-0 at the Coliseum.

Related Story. Islanders Shutout At Home Against Boston (Highlights)

Before Saturday’s loss the Isles were on a four game point streak and are looking to start another streak today!

The Montreal Canadiens come into this matchup after beating the Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime, Saturday night. Montreal had a 3-1 lead entering the third period, but allowed 2 goals in the third. Jeff Petry found the net just 52 seconds into overtime to give the Canadiens the victory.

Currently the Canadiens are outside of the playoff picture and have more games played (67) than most teams in the Eastern Conference. It will be a long shot for them to make the playoffs, but they can easily take 2 points from any team on any night.

The Season Series

The Isles and Canadiens have only met once this year and it definitely did not go the Islanders way.

On December 3rd the Isles traveled to Montreal and were tied for 99 percent of the 1st period, until Phillip Danault scored with 1 second left in the period. Montreal doubled their lead in the second from a Brendan Gallagher goal and the Isles went into the dressing room down 2-0 after 2.

Montreal then scored just over 2 minutes into the third. The Islanders answered back with two of their own, but it was not enough. Shea Weber put the icing on the cake with an empty netter to give Montreal the 4-2 victory.

The Islanders were out-shot 40-23 and Thomas Greiss got the loss.

The Islanders will finish their season series with the Canadiens on March 28th, in Montreal.

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

The Islanders come into tonight as the favorites , courtesy of the Action Network.

As show above, the tale of the tape shows a pretty even matchup, but as I say every game, hockey is not a game played on paper.

4. 106. Prediction. 2. 152

I expect the Islanders to come out strong, after their performance on Saturday, and play a full 60 minute game. I predict the Islanders to come away with two points at the end of tonight!

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 17: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders in action during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on February 17, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 2-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 17: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders in action during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on February 17, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Islanders 2-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Keys to the Game

Hold the Blue Line

In the past two games the Islanders have struggled in their defensive zone. They have been stuck in their zone for minutes at a time and when that happens, when you finally do get the puck out, they have no legs for attack. So, they dump it in and change, then the other team breaks out quickly and then they are stuck in their d-zone again.

The Isles need to answer this by holding their blue line and stepping up right away. This may force turnovers or Montreal will have to dump the puck in.

If Montreal does dump it in, the Isles need good back pressure from their forwards. The forwards need to be coming back hard to be the first ones to the dumped in puck and make the first breakout pass.

This will allow the Islanders to spend less time in their defensive zone and more time on attack.

Shoot the Puck

Islander fans have been frustrated with the Islanders lack of shots in recent games. And it is something the Isles must change if they want to win more games.

As we all know, you have to shoot the puck to score.

We have seen it all over the NHL this year, bad angle shots have gone in. Whether it has hit off people in front of the net or the goalie misread the puck, it has found a way in.

The Islanders need to shoot more tonight. They need to get plenty of pucks and people to the net. This will give them plenty of opportunities to score both on the initial shot and any rebounds.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 19: Ross Johnston #32 of the New York Islanders joins teammates to celebrate with Semyon Varlamov #40 after defeating the Boston Bruins in an overtime shootout at TD Garden on December 19, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Islanders defeat the Bruins 3-2. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 19: Ross Johnston #32 of the New York Islanders joins teammates to celebrate with Semyon Varlamov #40 after defeating the Boston Bruins in an overtime shootout at TD Garden on December 19, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Islanders defeat the Bruins 3-2. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Potential Lineups

New York Islanders

The Islanders are expected to make some changes going into tonight after their performance on Saturday. The Isles started rotating their lines in the third period against Boston.

I expect the defense to stay the same, but on offense we may see Ross Johnston come in for Cal Clutterbuck, who made his return from injury against Boston. Also, it looks like Leo Komarov will be moved to the second line and Derick Brassard will be centering the fourth line.

We expect Thomas Greiss to come in for Semyon Varlamov.

The Islanders are expected to line up like this tonight:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Komarov
Dal Colle-Pageau-Bailey
Martin-Brassard-Johnston

Greene-Pulock
Toews-Mayfield
Leddy-Boychuk

Greiss (Varlamov)

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal should have a similar lineup as they had on Saturday night against Carolina. Canadiens star forward, Jonathan Drouin is still out injured and is not expected to be back for tonight’s clash.

These forward lines should stay the same as above and Petry should be good to go on defense.

The Canadiens are expected to line up like this:

Tatar-Danault-Gallagher
Lehkonen-Suzuki-Armia
Byron-Domi-Weal
Hudon-Evans-Weise

Chiarot-Weber
Kulak-Petry
Ouellet-Folin

Price (Lindgren)

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Where to Catch the Game

LIVE: Get Tickets Here!

TV: MSG+, MSG GO

RADIO: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 1050AM

Next. Islanders: Final Thoughts On Barclays Center Experiment

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