New York Islanders at Montreal Canadiens [Game 26 thread]

The New York Islanders try to build a new streak as they go for their third win in a row tonight in Montreal.

If they’re successful, they’ll give the Canadiens another bruise in their current eight-game winless streak.

Traveling on the back end of a back-to-back, Barry Trotz would not reveal lineup details other than that everyone will skate warmups, and Thomas Greiss is ready to start in goal:

In that talk, he cautioned that the Habs have lost several one-goal games (unlike the Red Wings, who are getting blown out routinely), and so it’s a formidable match. It wasn’t long ago that the Canadiens were in playoff position and riding high. Now they’re four points behind Pittsburgh for the final wild card slot, though just three points behind Buffalo and Florida for the Atlantic’s non-Boston playoff spots.

Trotz also talked about why Otto Koivula got so little ice time last night — the number of special teams situations kept him out for all but a couple of shifts in the last two periods. But playing on back-to-back, perhaps he’ll get more ice time if he’s in the lineup tonight.

Catch up on the Canadiens, who have a new backup goalie, at our sibling site Habs Eyes on the Prize.

If you’re out of market, this one is tonight’s free game at nhl.com.