Forward Ryan Strome will be a healthy scratch for the New York Islanders on Saturday when they play the Montreal Canadiens at Nassau Coliseum.
Strome has played in all 70 games for the Islanders this season, his second in the NHL. He's set career-highs in goals (14), assists (29), and points (43), but has just one point in his past five games. Forward Frans Nielsen, who missed his first game this season as a healthy scratch Friday against the Ottawa Senators, will return to the lineup in place of Strome.
Coach Jack Capuano also said Michal Neuvirth will start in goal for the Islanders. Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves in a 2-1 loss to the Senators.
Defenseman Matt Donovan will also play for the first time since Jan. 6, having sat the past 29 games. He will replace Lubomir Visnovsky.
Montreal last played Thursday, when they lost 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators. The five goals against matched a season-high for goalie Carey Price, and was only the second time in his past 15 starts he's allowed more than two goals.
Here are the projected lineups:
CANADIENS
Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Brendan Gallagher
Alex Galchenyuk - Tomas Plekanec - PA Parenteau
Lars Eller - Jacob De La Rose - Devante Smith-Pelly
Brandon Prust - Torrey Mitchell - Dale Weise
Nathan Beaulieu - Greg Pateryn
Scratched: Sergei Gonchar, Mike Weaver, Brian Flynn, Manny Malhotra
Injured: Alexei Emelin (upper body)
ISLANDERS
Josh Bailey - John Tavares - Kyle Okposo
Anders Lee - Brock Nelson - Tyler Kennedy
Michael Grabner - Frans Nielsen - Nikolay Kulemin
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Johnny Boychuk - Calvin de Haan
Scratched: Ryan Strome, Lubomir Visnovsky, Eric Boulton, Colin McDonald
Injured: Nick Leddy (upper body), Mikhail Grabovski (upper body)
Status report: Capuano said Leddy skated prior to the team's morning skate Saturday. … Pateryn was recalled from Hamilton of the American Hockey League on Friday. If Gonchar does not play, it's likely that Pateryn will. Gonchar skated with Weaver and Emelin after the morning skate.
Who's hot: Since he was acquired by the Islanders prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, Kennedy has two goals and three points in three games. … Tavares has 21 points in his past 15 games, including seven multi-point games. In 19 career games against Montreal, Tavares has six goals and 16 points. … Pacioretty has three goals and four points in his past four games.
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.