Coming off arguably their worst loss of the season, the New York Islanders will face another tough challenge when they visit the playoff-hungry Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

The Islanders (42-24-7, 91 points) were shut out on home ice on Tuesday, suffering a 5-0 loss to the Bruins. New York managed only a season-low 13 shots in the game.

The defeat dropped New York two points behind the Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division, and also narrowed the gap between the Islanders and the Penguins (89 points), Hurricanes (87) and Blue Jackets (84).

With just nine games remaining in the regular season, the Islanders don't have time to dwell on the tough result.

"(Tuesday) obviously wasn't to the level that we've set for ourselves," forward Josh Bailey said. "Unfortunately in an 82-game season those things happen. It doesn't make it acceptable by any means. I think if anything you just need to talk about it, learn from it, and turn the page and still remember that we do have a good, quality team in here."

New York suffered a blow on Wednesday when it learned center Valtteri Filppula is expected to miss four weeks with an upper-body injury.

Filppula, 35, was injured in the first period Tuesday night on a hit from behind by Boston Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton. Filppula has 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 71 games in his first season with the Islanders. >> Read More

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