Once again there will be no Price-versus-Halak script tonight as the Islanders and Habs clash for the second time this season.

Jaroslav Halak missed the 3-1 Canadiens' win in New York on December 23 due to injury as Chad Johnson took the loss and Carey Price turned back 37 shots for the victory.

Now an upper body ailment has sidelined Price, preventing him from going head-to-head against his former goaltending partner as the Habs host the conference-leading Islanders, who beat the Penguins 6-3 last night on Long Island.

Price was not at practice Saturday morning after suffering an injury when Blue Jackets’ Matt Calvert crashed into him on a break in Columbus Wednesday.

Price finished the game but did not play in the Canadiens’ 4-1 loss to the Senators in Ottawa Thursday.

Dustin Tokarski is expected to start against the Islanders, while Joey MacDonald has been called up from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs to backup.

Right winger P.A. Parenteau is also expected to miss the game due to sickness and is likely to be replaced by Christian Thomas. David Desharnais will be back at centre while Alex Galchenyuk returns to the wing, reportedly at his own request.

The Islanders bring the league’s third-best attack to town, led by all star Jonathan Tavares. Kyle Okposo has only one fewer point with 41 and former Bruin Johnny Boychuk has proven a force on defence. The Islanders' 140 goals scored is accompanied by 119 goals against, good for the 16th best in the league.

In contrast the Canadiens’ 101 goals against is good for third best in the league but their 115 goals for is good for only 23rd.