If we flashback to late January, just after the All-Star Break, both the New York Islanders and the Montreal Canadiens were rocking. The Isles held on to first place by five points and the Canadiens oscillated between third in the Atlantic and the first Wild Card spot. Fast forward a mere month and a half and both teams look to be avoiding the panic button.
Needless to say, there is potential for a big momentum builder in this game.
After a disappointing west coast trip, where the Canadiens went 1-2, culminating in a huge 8-2 defeat to the Ducks, they came home and put up the W against the Detroit Red Wings.