Bossy’s Hometown, Gm 74: Lines, Previews & How to Watch vs. Canadiens

After dropping the first leg of the back-to-back to the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 6-3 on Thursday night, the New York Islanders are in Montreal to face the Canadiens. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET at the Bell Centre.

On Friday morning, the New York Islanders announced the passing of four-time Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Bossy, who lost his battle with lung cancer. He was just 65-years old.

Mike Bossy 1957-2022; Islanders Legend Passes Away

Our thoughts and prayers to his family, his friends, and anyone whose lives he touched.

The New York Islanders did not hold a morning skate on Friday as head coach Barry Trotz will speak to the media at 4:30 PM ET.

With Ilya Sorokin getting the start on Thursday, Semyon Varlamov (9-15-2, 2.82 GAA, .915 SV%) will be in between the pipes on Friday night as he will make his 29th appearance of the season.

On the other side, Carey Price will make his first start since losing Game 5 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Price had offseason knee surgery and also checked into the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

And it’s great to see him back.

On Thursday night, Trotz sat Oliver Wahlstrom in favor of Kieffer Bellows.

With the way Kieffer Bellows played, with two shots, six hits, a block, and a takeaway in 11:31 TOI, it is likely he will remain in the lineup.

The New York Islanders will have a new face and voice on their MSG telecast Friday, as Olympian Cheryl Pounder joins the booth.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise-Barzal-Bellows

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Greene–Hutton

Sorokin

Varlamov

MONTREAL CANADIENS LINEUP (PROJECTED)

Caufield-Suzuki-Anderson

Hoffman-Dvorak–Gallagher

Pitlick-Poehling–Armia

Pizzetta–Evans–Byron

Romanov–Savard

Edmundson-Petry

Schueneman–Wideman

Price

Montembeault

ISLANDERS GAME NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders visit the Montreal Canadiens in the third and final matchup between the two clubs this season, and the Islanders’ second visit to Bell Centre.

The last time these teams met was February 20, at UBS Arena, when Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri each scored to help the Islanders collect a point in the shootout.

Tonight is the back-end of the Islanders’ sixteenth back-to-back series this season, after they visited Pittsburgh last night. The Islanders have played a back-to-back series each week since February 26, and have two more remaining this season.

BETTING CORNER

The New York Islanders are the road favorites against the Montreal Canadiens coming in at -155. They are +160 on the puck line. The Canadiens are +130 and are -190 on the reverse puck line.

The over for the contest is set at 6, with the over at +100 and the under at -120.

These lines are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

HOW TO WATCH:

Friday’s contest will be available on MSG+.  On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.