It sounds like a cliché, but Thursday night’s game against the New York Islanders was again the biggest game of the year for the Montreal Canadiens. The Islanders came in as the NHL’s stingiest team, and the Canadiens offence has had major struggles recently.
Against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, the offence was able to provide an early lead, and Carey Price shut the door from there. Price started his sixth consecutive game against the Islanders, looking to outduel Thomas Greiss.
Through the opening minutes, it was Montreal who spent most of the time in the offensive zone, but couldn’t generate actual chances.