MTL@NYI: What you need to know

The Habs are 2-0-0 against the Patrick Roy Islanders this season, posting 5-3 and 4-3 victories at the Bell Center earlier this year. Tonight is the first game of 2023-24 between the 70s rivals at UBS Arena.

2. You have to fight for your right to win a postseason spot, and that's what the Islanders are doing these days. New York currently sits in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but is just three points ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Islanders have boosted their chances of entering the postseason with their current five-game winning streak, which has seen them concede eight goals.

Matt Barzal led the Isles offense with 80 points in 77 games, followed by Noah Dobson (70 in 78), Bo Horvat (68 in 77) and Brock Nelson (62 in 78) who helped the New Yorkers to 19 points. -10-10 record on home ice this season.

3. Slafkowski's impressive sophomore campaign came to an end on Tuesday, but the 20-year-old is poised to finish well. As the old saying goes, “It's not how you start, it's how you finish.” After scoring just 18 points in the Canadiens' first 47 games, Slafkowski caught fire in his final 31 games on Jan. 24, scoring 30 (13G, 17A). Since then, the Slovakian striker has scored his third point. Dallas Stars' Wyatt Johnston (34 points) and Minnesota Wild's Matt Baldy (31 points) trailed behind in the NHL among players younger than 22.

4. The Habs have come out of the gate in each of their two meetings with the Islanders this season, going 4-0 and 3-0, respectively. New York held on both times, however, to close the first game at 4-3 and regained its composure in the second leg before Montreal scored a late winner off the stick of Sean Monahan.

Both the Canadiens and Islanders are used to playing close games, as evidenced by their top-3 rankings in overtime games played this season. New York has 24 in the second, winning nine of them. In addition, Montreal has 22 overtime games and 10 extra points, which ranks third.

5. The Canadians did not practice Wednesday and are not scheduled to skate Thursday at UBS Arena. Any potential lineup changes and starting goaltender will likely be revealed when Martin addresses the St. Louis media around 12:00 PM ET. The press conference will be broadcast live by the team. X, Facebook and YouTube accounts. Game time is set for 7:30 PM ET. Fans can watch the action on TSN2 and RDS or listen on TSN 690 and 98.5 fm.