Islanders will start Poulin against Canadiens

Kevin Poulin will make his second start of the season when the New York Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

It will be the third appearance for Poulin, who last played March 10 when he relieved Evgeni Nabokov for the third period of a game in Pittsburgh and stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced.

In his only prior start this season, Poulin made 24 saves in a 4-2 home loss to Carolina.

In 18 NHL games over parts of the past three seasons with the Islanders, the 22-year-old Poulin has a 6-7-1 record with a 2.70 goals-against average and .916 save percentage.

The Islanders also announced forward Michael Grabner will take the place of Eric Boulton in the lineup, while defenseman Matt Carkner is in for Radek Martinek.