Beauvillier, Greiss lead Islanders to 3-0 win over Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price makes a save against New York Islanders' John Tavares (1) as Canadiens' Alexei Emelin (74) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in Montreal. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price makes a save against New York Islanders' John Tavares (1) as Canadiens' Alexei Emelin (74) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in Montreal. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

By Associated Press February 23, 2017 4 min read

MONTREAL (AP) – It was a big night for rookie Anthony Beauvillier and the New York Islanders.

Beauvillier scored in the first period, Thomas Greiss had stopped 24 shots for his third shutout of the season, and the Islanders beat the slumping Montreal Canadiens 3-0 Thursday night.

The 19-year-old Beauvillier, who grew up in nearby Sorel-Tracy, had a large group of family and friends on hand for his first game in Montreal.

“It’s really special,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a better night than getting the two points in Montreal with family and friends around, and for the ovation at the end.”

Beauvillier said he bought 19 tickets for the game and several other of his supporters got their own to give the rookie a sizeable cheering section among the sellout crowd.