Islanders at Canadiens
THE STORY: The Bell Centre has been a house of horrors in
recent seasons for the New York Islanders. Of course, the arena hasn't
provided much of a warm and fuzzy atmosphere this season for its
tenants, the Montreal Canadiens. When the Islanders pay a visit to the
Bell Centre on Tuesday, Montreal will be looking to snap a four-game
home losing streak. While all the losses have been by one goal, and
three have gone beyond regulation, the Canadiens can take little solace
in that fact while owning a league-worst four home victories on the
season. Despite winning only five of the last 19 meetings in Montreal,
the Islanders have beaten the Canadiens three straight times, including a
4-3 victory Nov. 17 on Long Island. Defenseman Tomas Kaberle will make
his first appearance in front of the home fans after his acquisition
from Carolina on Friday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, RSD (Montreal), MSG Plus 2 (New York)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (9-12-6):
New York was in the midst of one of its best stretches until it ran
into – and was run over by – the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Saturday. It
was the first regulation loss in the last seven (4-1-2) for the
Islanders, who are trying to rebound from a brutal stretch in which they
won only twice in 16 games (2-9-5). Red-hot Matt Moulson has led the
revival with eight goals and three assists in his last seven games.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (12-11-7):
Kaberle, who was acquired to boost Montreal’s dreadful power play, made
a great first impression with his new teammates by notching a pair of
assists in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at New Jersey. It was the third
straight two-point game for Kaberle, who is with his fourth team in less
than a year after less-than-inspiring stints with Boston and Carolina.
Goaltender Carey Price stopped a penalty shot in the final minute to
preserve the win over the Devils.
OVERTIME:
1. Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (groin) was
injured in the 4-3 victory over the Canadiens last month and has not
played since. He will accompany the team on the trip to Montreal.
2. The Canadiens are 2 for 40 with the man advantage in the last 10 games.