Islanders @ Canadiens

Who will WIN this matchup?

New York Islanders (3-2-2)

@ Montreal Canadiens (3-8-0)

Starting Goalies:

Ilya Sorokin (NYI): Unconfirmed

Jake Allen (MON): Confirmed

Current odds:

New York Islanders: (-130)

Montreal Canadiens: (+110)

• After opening their five-game homestand with a victory, the Montreal Canadiens will look to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they host the New York Islanders on Thursday night. The Canadiens had a season-high 41 shots in Tuesday’s 3-0 shutout of the Detroit Red Wings. While the Canadiens’ record is only 3-8-0, they have a 13-1 cumulative score in their wins, indicating what the team can do when it is at its best. Of course, Montreal has yet to have everything click twice in a row this season. Goaltender Jake Allen is hopeful that Tuesday’s performance is finally a sign that the Canadiens are on track.

• The Islanders seemingly have embraced this grinding mentality themselves during their season-opening, 13-game road trip. Six away dates remain until the Islanders debut at their new home arena, yet the team has been relatively steady on its extended sojourn, earning points in each of its past five games (3-0-2).

• New York has only 17 goals this season yet has allowed just 18. Goalie Ilya Sorokin has been a major reason why the Islanders’ opponents have been stifled, as he has a 2.26 goals-against average and .931 save percentage while starting all seven games.

• Though Semyon Varlamov is back from injured reserve, it seems likely Sorokin will start again against Montreal. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue for Sorokin, as due to breaks in the schedule, Thursday will mark only the Islanders’ second game since Oct. 24.

• The other game of that stretch was a 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators last Saturday. The Islanders had a 36-23 edge in shots, yet twice surrendered leads in the game before falling to Roman Josi’s shootout-deciding marker.

• Despite Saturday’s loss, the Islanders scored twice on the power play after going 2-for-16 with the extra attacker over their first six games.

• Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin is questionable for Thursday’s game after he was hit in the head with the puck during the first period against the Red Wings. Drouin left the game after being hit by a deflected shot from teammate Brett Kulak.

• Allen is likely to be back in net against New York, looking for his third shutout in his past four games. Allen made 22 saves against the Red Wings, improving to a 2.58 GAA and a .914 save percentage over nine starts this season.

• Josh Bailey leads all Islanders skaters with five points (one goal, four assists).