Isles Aim to Catch Canadiens in Crucial Playoff Faceoff

ELMONT, N.Y. — The New York Islanders will host the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night in a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup with playoff implications. Both teams are vying for the final wild card spot in the postseason. The Islanders (31-28-8, 70 points) sit three points behind Montreal (33-27-7, 73 points) in the standings.

A regulation win for the Islanders would narrow the gap to just one point, keeping their playoff hopes alive, while a loss could push them five points behind the Canadiens. The New York Rangers, with 72 points, also factor into the playoff chase as they face the Toronto Maple Leafs on the same night. The Islanders have two games in hand on the Rangers.

The Isles enter the match on a high, having won two consecutive games, each by a score of 4-2, against the Florida Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders erased third-period deficits in both contests, showcasing resilience under pressure. Head coach Lane Lambert noted, “We have to keep that momentum going, and it starts with this game.”

On the other hand, the Canadiens have also secured back-to-back victories, including a comeback win against the Ottawa Senators where they netted five third-period goals en route to a 6-3 triumph.

In their prior encounters this season, the Islanders are 1-0-1 against Montreal, having won 4-3 in a shootout in October and losing 2-1 in overtime in December. The Islanders have historically fared well at home against the Canadiens, with a record of 4-0-1 in their last five matchups at UBS Arena.

Statistical trends reveal the Islanders scoring success; they have achieved consecutive multi-goal third-period wins for the fourth time in franchise history. Key players include Noah Dobson, who has scored in back-to-back games and has significant points against Montreal in his career. Kyle Palmieri also broke a recent scoring drought with a three-point game.

However, the Islanders face challenges, as defenseman Alexander Romanov‘s participation is uncertain due to illness. In goal, Ilya Sorokin boasts a strong record against Montreal, ensuring a reliable presence in net.

For the Canadiens, captain Nick Suzuki leads the team in points and has been exceptional since the Four Nations Face-Off break. Cole Caufield stands out with a team-high 33 goals and continues to produce offensively. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson leads all first-year players with 53 points this season, showcasing talent beyond his years.

Special teams could play a crucial role, as the Canadiens’ power play has seen success recently. In contrast, the Islanders’ power play has struggled, going 0-for-18 over the past five games. This disparity could prove significant in a high-stakes matchup.

As both teams come off high scoring games, this matchup is expected to be competitive, with recent meetings highlighting the close nature of their rivalry. The atmosphere at UBS Arena is sure to reflect the intensity of a game that could shift playoff landscapes for both franchises.

Fans can catch the action starting at 7:30 PM EDT on MSGSN and ESPN+, with radio coverage on TSN 690 AM in Montreal and WRHU 88.7 FM in New York.