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NHL on NBCSN: Habs and Islanders battle for top spot in their respective divisions

Michel Therrien

Michel Therrien

AP

NBCSN will continue its coverage of the 2014-15 campaign when the New York Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens at Nassau Coliseum at 7:00 p.m. ET tonight. In addition to NBCSN, you can also watch the game and pre-show online.

Crucial points are up for grabs tonight as the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders vie for top spot in their respective divisions.

The Habs (42-19-7) are tied in points (91) with the Tampa Bay Lightning (42-20-7) atop the Atlantic Division with a game in hand. Meanwhile the Islanders (42-17-7) trail the Rangers (43-23-4) by one point for top spot in the Metropolitan Division.

Both teams enter Saturday’s meeting looking to avoid a third straight loss.

For the Canadiens, they’re looking to avoid a third straight loss this month. The Islanders have dropped back-to-back games and have just one win in their last four. New York has also lost three straight on home ice.

Since opening the season 17-4-0 at Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders are 6-7-0.

Montreal has won both meetings this season and five of the past six. Habs’ starter Carey Price, who is a front-runner for the Vezina Trophy, is 4-1-0 with a 1.40 GAA and a shutout in his last five starts against New York. He also has a .965 save percentage during three straight wins at Nassau Coliseum.

Islanders’ captain John Tavares, who has a one point lead on Alex Ovechkin in the Art Ross race entering Saturday’s play, has been held off the score sheet in two straight games matching his longest drought of the season. He has 10 points in his last seven games against the Canadiens.

Kyle Okposo, who will play in his third game since returning from an eye injury, has two goals and an assist against the Habs this season.

Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov has a goal and three assists in two meetings between the two clubs while forward Tomas Plekanec has two goals and two assists.

Tonight is the third and final game between the two teams this season and Montreal’s final regular season visit to Nassau Coliseum.

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