Foe rT TR Now MONTREAL (CP) — After two hard-fought divisional playoff series, New York Islandera are ready to hit their of- fensive stride, says sniper Mike Bossy; They'll get their chance to do so tonight when they meet Montreal Canadiens in the opener of the best- of-seven National Hockey ‘League Wales Con- ference final at the Forum. “! think we can play a lot better, but we were getting there later in the series with Washington,” said Bossy, referring to the Islanders’ Patrick Division final series victory over the Capitals. “We should be at- tacking more, we ‘shouldn't have to defend as much as we have been doing.” Bossy's playoft production has been off somewhat — he has four goals and eight points in the Islanders’ 10 playoff games. And he knows the Canadiens will con- centrate more on keeping Bossy and his centre Bryan Trottler offstride . than they will on scoring themselves. “! hear Montreal is lining up four players at the blueline and making age 6, The Herat, eee: ae. 24, 1 1904 daily he ; York it tough just getting the puck in their end,” Bossy said. “AndI guess they have a hot goalie,” The brilliant play of rookle goaltender Steme® ficult for the Islanders . PO eM ai a ee a two-way play has made him one of Montreal's most dangerous forwards during the playofts,: said . he thought the Canadiens could make things dif- Penney and the defensive defencemen; system coach Jacques Lemalre has instituted carried Montreal past Boston Bruins and _ Quebec Nordiques to the semifinal round. .“] don’t think we'll change much against New York,” Lemaire after the Canadiens’ practice on Monday. ; ‘AT THEIR BEST’ ’ “The way the guys are playing right now — well, they're at their best.” Following the form chart means Guy Car- -bonneau, the centre who checked Boston’s Barry Pederson and Peter Stastny of the Nordiques in successive divisional playoff series, will line up against Bryan Trottier this time... “Trottier ‘will surely | make wse of. his ex- perience to try to outplay me,” said Carbonneau. “It's going to be-very difficult for me, but it's also going to be difficul.. for him.” Mats Naslund, whose WILLIAMS THANKS TO & STORAGE FOR — STORING EQUIPMENT MOVING Terrace Minor Seve Baseball said ' good goaltending, NOW THRU SAT, APRIL 28 SAVE SG.10 is oy SADDLEMAN | eh CUT * PREWASHED 100% COTTON * 5 POCKET BOOT CUT WITH RIVETS ® WAISTS 28-38 | SAVE SG AD 401 conity 220 Edmonton coach “They have a very well-balanced team but their defencemen are slow,”’said Naslund, “We have to exploit that . weakness. “by creating as many one-on- one and two0on-one al Se asa dal ad “ahs Deal hal UO TEE Ree ag eg rete op REET ERTS charices a we can” oath Naslund. was thinking about Ken Morrow, Gord Lane and Dave Langevin; all of whom have’ had knee.’ ‘injuries ‘in :redent seasons. ‘ Langevin is.a doubtfal starter tonight because his separated shoulder . hasn't fully l my, healed. Naslund included’ _ veteran Denis Potvin’ in, that category. | “Potvin is offensively elfective but. t's: possible to get “by him, And Stefan ‘Persson Is ‘by no means the fastest defenceman’ in“ - tite league. “That lenis “Tomas * Jonsson’ their number’ ‘oe ‘. (Paul Boutilier)” - 2 BREAKS NOSE Lemaire has used five defenceman ‘throughout the playoffs but that plan - ’ seemed in jeopardy after Jean Hamel suffered: a- broken nose and a: “ ae ee shoulder injury in | ‘the ‘ Gane 6 against Quebec ” ‘Nordiques : ‘last . Friday. - ‘ Lemaire said Monday , that ‘Hamel, is rea return “but indicat right misconduct of to ‘he hadn't made up his mind . Whether to go with five or - , Six defenceman. He'll have to replace. winger Mark Hunter, who must sit out an avitomatic one-game ‘suspension :, ‘after “in- curring his second game to hit — | ee playoffs on Friday. played, on a line with “Lafleur in practice on Monday,’ will likely take ils place, - Rookie .LaFontaine, who suffered an ankle sprain in practice, will also miss the opener for New York. The Islanders finished first