Montreal is coming off a high-scoring 7-1 loss against the Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Canadiens committed nine penalties in the game, conceding four power play goals. Johnathan Kovacevic was the only player to find the net for the Canadiens.
Sam Montembeault saved only 39 of 46 shots against (.847%) in the loss. New York fell 5-2 to the Capitals on Monday. Hudson Fasching and Casey Cizikas both scored once for the Islanders. Ilya Sorokin only had 20 saves on 23 shots against (.869%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 4-3 (OT) victory for the Canadiens in February. Mike Hoffman led Montreal with three points (0G 3A). Brock Nelson (1G 1A) and Noah Dobson (0G 2A) each had two points to lead New York. Montembeault got the win, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900%).
FACING OFF
Montreal is averaging 2.76 goals per game for the season, 26th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Islanders team that is allowing just 2.65 goals a game (5th). Meanwhile, New York has found the net 2.94 times a game on average, 23rd in the league, and the Canadiens are allowing opponents to score 3.70 goals per game (29th).
Montreal averages fewer shots a game (27.3) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th. New York has been one of the league’s better shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 2 with a team save percentage of .921%.
The Islanders’ 15.07% power play percentage is the second-worst in the league, while Montreal’s 16.38% conversion rate ranks fifth-lowest. Montreal has been equally poor at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s second-lowest PK% at 72.35%. New York’s 82.19% ranks 10th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 64 points this season, Nick Suzuki is the top skater for the Canadiens. He has 24 goals and 40 assists in 80 games. In the net, Montembeault (16-17-3) is Montreal’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.36 GAA and a .904% save percentage. Jake Allen (15-24-3) leads the Canadiens in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 3.55 and a save percentage of .891%.Nelson leads the Islanders in scoring with 73 points. He has 34 goals and 39 assists. Sorokin (30-22-7) is the top goalie for New York with a goals against average of 2.35. He has a save percentage of .924%, third-best in the league.
HOME AND AWAY
Montreal is 14-23-3 away from home this season. New York has won three in a row at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Islanders -1.5 (-125)
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