The New York Islanders will look to create their first home winning streak of the season when they host the first-place Montreal Canadiens.
The Islanders currently hold a record of three wins, eight losses, and one overtime loss at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the 2012-13 season. After starting its seven-game homestand with three losses, the team turned things around with a win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday afternoon. However, the win was far from easy. The Islanders blew two one goal leads, including a second in the final two minutes of regulation and had to claw their way through the shootout to win the match. John Tavares, who was reportedly sick during the game, scored the winning shootout on a dazzling stick move in which he faked out goalie Robin Lehner and put the puck past him with only one hand on his stick.
"I didn't think he was expecting the move I wanted to do," Tavares said of the highlight-reel play. "I just tried to sell the shot to try and make him commit so that I could go back to my backhand."
"We battled hard tonight and we got the win against a pretty good hockey team over there," Coach Jack Capuano said about the win. "Ottawa is a well structured team and it starts from the net out. Special teams weren't great for us tonight, but we found a way to win the game. But this game's behind us now. It's our ninth win. We're still not where we want to be."
Montreal is coming off an emotional 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins that vaulted them into first place in the East. The team battled back from a second period deficit and won thanks to a third period goal from David Desharnais on the powerplay with Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara in the penalty box. "It's big," said Desharnais. "He's a key player for them. For him to not be on the ice is good for us, and we took advantage of it."
The teams met back on Feb. 21 when Thomas Hickey scored an overtime goal to give the Islanders a 4-3 victory.
Predictions: Montreal Wins 5-1.
Start Time: 7 PM EST
TV: RDS, MSG PLUS 2
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