Canadiens Game 48: Patrick Roy Returns To Montreal, New Lines

The Montreal Canadiens (19-21-7) are set to host the New York Islanders (20-16-11) at the Bell Centre. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm ET.

Expect a much different lineup when the Habs take to the ice. Based on the changes at practice on Wednesday, forward Josh Anderson has once again been promoted to the top line, while Juraj Slafkovsky was relegated to the second line.

Given the recent results, it’s not shocking that head coach Martin St-Louis decided to switch things up, however, placing Anderson on the top line has rarely amounted to anything positive given the results he produced while playing alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield last season.

In other news, top forward prospect Joshua Roy was assigned to the AHL on Wednesday, though it should be mentioned he enjoyed a very successful first audition in the NHL.

Forward Lucas Condotta was recalled late Wednesday night and will be in uniform for the Canadiens. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault will be given the start.

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Usually, a regular-season game between the Canadiens and the Islanders would not garner much interest, but there’s a clear storyline heading into Thursday’s game.

Former Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy was recently named as the Islanders’ new bench boss. The Hall Of Famer led his team to a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars in his first game back in the NHL, and he’ll surely be looking to maintain momentum when facing his former team.

Roy played parts of 12 seasons for the Canadiens, leading them to the Holy Grail on two occasions: 1986 and 1993. He also won the Conn Smythe trophy during both Stanley Cup runs as the team’s most valuable player.

NHL coaches are not officially allowed to put money on the board, but don’t be surprised if the Islanders start the game with a little more motivation than usual.

Forward Matthew Barzal leads the Islanders in scoring with 12 goals and 36 assists, though he’s far from the only potent offensive weapon in the Islanders lineup. Defenceman Noah Dobson is enjoying a career year, as evidenced by his six goals and 42 assists in 47 games.

If you would like to see the view from the other side of the rink, make sure to visit our sister site: New York Islanders Hockey Now.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Carey Price (IR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)
• Kirby Dach (out indefinitely, ACL/MCL)
• Alex Newhook (out 10-12 weeks)
• Christian Dvorak (out)

New York Islanders Injuries

• Bo Horvat (day-to-day)
• Casey Cizikas (IR)
• Robert Bortuzzo (IR)
• Ryan Pulock (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

New York Islanders Projected Lineup

Lee – Horvat – Barzal

Fasching – Nelson – Palmieri

Holmstrom – Pageau – Gauthier

Martin – MacLean – Clutterbuck

Defence

Romanov – Dobson

Pelech – Aho

Reilly – Mayfield

Goalie

Varlamov

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