Bruised New York Islanders face tough test in Montreal

The last time these two squads met, the Islanders ended a long losing streak against the Canadiens that went back three seasons. The Islanders haven’t beaten the Habs at home since the 13-14 season with Evgeni Nabokov in goal. They’ll look to change that tonight.

• New York Islanders (28-21-10)
• Montreal Canadiens (32-20-8)
• 7:30 p.m., MSG+, WRHU
• Centre Bell, Montreal, QC

Bruised but not beaten

The New York Islanders have been dealt a couple of blows since the physical win over Detroit on Tuesday night.

#Isles Transaction: Shane Prince has been placed on IR (retro Feb 12). Bracken Kearns has been emergency recalled.

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 22, 2017

Shane Prince‘s injury is worse than initially thought and was placed on the Injured reserve. Bracken Kearns will make his season debut for the New York Islanders, likely slotting in on the fourth line with Stephen Gionta and Nikolay Kulemin.

Kearns is an AHL veteran who, at 35, has spent 25 NHL games with San Jose in 13-14 and just two games with the Islanders last season. He has 40 points in 51 games this season for Bridgeport.

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Fans yearning to see Michael Dal Colle or Josh Ho-Sang in the majors will have to wait until the trade deadline when the rosters expand, or if another serious blow is dealt to the Isles.

It doesn’t make sense to call up two integral parts of the Islanders future to fill a fourth line role for what could end up being only a few games. That’s why the Islanders signed guys like Kearns and Steve Bernier to two-way deals.

#Isles Transaction: Connor Jones has agreed to terms on a one-year (remainder of the 16-17 season) two-way deal (NHL/AHL). pic.twitter.com/dDvhPCCWNx

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 22, 2017

Additionally, the Islanders also added Connor Jones to a two-way deal in case things indeed go rougher than anticipated.

Fortunately for the Islanders, Florida lost to Edmonton and the Flyers lost to the Capitals last night, so they received an opportunity.

Expect to see Thomas Greiss in goal yet again. Greiss is looking to make up for what has so far been a very lackluster February campaign.

Thomas Greiss by month: #isles
Oct : 2-2, 2.28, .925
Nov: 3-2, 2.63, .914
Dec: 4-1, 2.41, .930
Jan: 6-2-3, 1.99, .935
Feb: 3-4, 3.65, .873

— 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗼 (@AndyGraz_19) February 21, 2017

The puck drops at 7:30 in Montreal, the Islanders will look to climb into a playoff spot for what will probably be the first time since October.

[sc name=”Islanders Link Next” link=”elitesportsny.com/2017/02/22/new-york-islanders-need-address-new-defensive-issues/” text=”New York Islanders need to address new defensive issues” ]