10:03 pm: The empty netter was the cherry on the cake for the Habs as they beat the Isles 5 - 3. Montoya made some good saves and let in two soft goals. Yes, he's tired and could use a rest. See Evgeni Nabokov in net on Thursday against Dallas.

The good points for the evening was another goal by Josh Bailey, a surprising "i ain't giving up on this" goal by John Tavares and number 15 for Matt Moulson.

PA Parenteau was vocal in his home town. He did a lot of jawing on the ice followed up with two assists and four shots.

Matt Martin had only ONE hit on the night and it sent PK Suban to the ground. For that he sat in the box. I was disappointed.

While the Isles managed a good effort in this one, they still couldn't pull out the win. More points lost no matter how good the effort.

"We've got to find a way. These are important games." Josh Bailey said from the stall. He called the ex-NYI Nokelainen's goal "unfortunate timing."

Dylan Reese, "We have to put together a more consistent game. We have to capitalize our chances."

So while Jack may not be disappointed in the effort, this is still a team that doesn't know how to win.

I'm just sayin'.

3:22 pm: As per Art Staple, he has confirmed that Nino Niederreiter will not be released to play in the World Juniors for team Switzerland. and.... It's Josh Bailey all over again.

12:21 pm: And Jack Capuano agrees with me. Giving Montoya the start and keeping Nabby on the bench. Good move there Jack.

Taking liberty with the headlines here. Game day Isles vs. Habs in Montreal.

Last night Brad and I had Sean Campbell from a Montreal radio station on our NHLweekly show on Sportstalknetwork.com so I got to research Montreal a little prior to his call in.

Like the Islanders, Montreal is just on that bubble. The Habs have played three more games than the Isles and have 31 points to the Isles 24. In their last 10 games NYI is 4-3-3 and Montreal is 3-3-4. They both need the points but the Habs will be looking for the win since the Isles beat them on Nov 17th by only 4 - 3.

Montreal has been beaten by one goal more often than they want to think about. Wait, so have the Isles. Tonight’s game could be anyone’s win with a slight edge to the home team.

Michael Haley was returned to Bridgeport leaving Matt Martin to be the only hitting machine on the team. While Martin leads the NHL in hits, Montreal has their own pin-ball in a Russian who doesn’t speak English named Alexei Emelin. They have nick-named him “Boom” for his big hits. (Along with Raphael Diaz, he’s also in the top five in the NHL in blocked shots.)

Montreal’s new addition of Thomas Kaberle skating along with Emelin has been tagged the “KA-Boom” line. Hmmm… Maybe we should have kept Haley around.

Also returned to Bridgeport was Kevin Poulin as Evgeni Nabokov has been removed from IR. Not too sure if he should get the start tonight or hold off until Thursday at the barn. Jack will sure to announce that choice later today.

Montreal Captain Brian Gionta is out with a lower body injury but ex-NYI Chris Campoli may be recovered from his hamstring injury and could play against his old team.

Goaltender Carey Price, who has struggled this season, has renewed confidence after stopping a Zach Parise penalty shot to give the Habs the win. Let’s see how he is against Matt Moulson and the speed of Michael Grabner or the rocket off Mark Streit’s stick.

Yes, Let’s see. 7:30 pm game time. Just enough time to eat dinner and get settled in on the couch.

PS: Check out yesterday's NHLWeekly at www.sportstalknetwork.com/NHLWeekly on the Podcast list.

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