Puck drop is scheduled 7:00 PM ET
Bell Centre, Montréal, Quebec
TV: ESPN+ (national) | MSGSN (Islanders) / RDS, TSN2 (Canadiens regional)
Game Context
The Islanders are 16-11-3 on the road. They are right on the playoff bubble and desperately need points in this four-point swing game against a divisional rival from the other side of the conference. The Canadiens are 16-11-1 at home. They hold a comfortable playoff spot but know every home win is vital to separate from the pack in a ridiculously tight East. Both teams are coming off the Olympic break with fresh legs — and some rust — making this the perfect early test of their post-break form in a massive Eastern Conference showdown.
Recent Team Forms (Last 10 Games)
Islanders: 6-4-0
Averaging 2.8 goals scored and allowing 2.5 goals against. They enter with a W2 streak (including wins over New Jersey and Pittsburgh in OT) but have shown defensive solidity (top-5 GA/GP league-wide).
Canadiens: 6-3-1
Averaging a scorching 4.0 goals scored while allowing 3.1. They closed the pre-break schedule on a strong 4-0-1 run, highlighted by a 5-1 road win over Winnipeg. Montreal’s offense has been elite (3rd in NHL in GF/GP at 3.46), though their defense remains middle-of-the-pack.
Injury Report
New York Islanders
- Kyle Palmieri (C) – Out (knee)
- Semyon Varlamov (G) – Out (knee)
- Pierre Engvall (LW) – Out (ankle, LTIR)
- Alexander Romanov (D) – Out for season (upper body)
Olympians Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat are back and expected to play.
Montreal Canadiens
- Patrik Laine (RW) – Day-to-Day (lower body)
- Alex Newhook (F) – Expected to return (first game since November – fractured ankle)
Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky (both Olympians) are healthy and expected to play after rest days.
Projected Starters & Key Player Matchups
Islanders (projected): G Ilya Sorokin (20-13-2, 2.44 GAA, .916 SV%, 6 SO), forwards Mathew Barzal (51 points), Bo Horvat (40 points in 44 GP), defense led by Mike Schaefer.
Canadiens (projected): G Sam Montembeault or Jakub Dobes (TBD), forwards Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson (dynamic D), with Alex Newhook returning to the mix.
Key Matchups
- Mathew Barzal / Bo Horvat vs. Nick Suzuki / Juraj Slafkovsky line: Two of the East’s best playmaking centers go head-to-head.
- Lane Hutson’s offensive dynamism vs. Islanders’ structured defense: Hutson has been a revelation; New York must contain his transition game.
- Ilya Sorokin vs. Montreal’s high-octane attack: Sorokin is the Islanders’ best weapon — if he’s on, this stays low-scoring.
- Power Play battle: Canadiens rank 7th on the PP (23.9%); Islanders are 30th (15.7%) but own a top-10 PK. Discipline will be huge.
Series History
First meeting of the season. The clubs will meet three times total in 2025-26. Montreal has historically owned the all-time series, but this year’s version features two very different, playoff-hungry rosters.
Betting Trends
- Canadiens: Strong home favorites (16-11-1 record); 6-3-1 in last 10; games trend Over more often with their high-scoring offense.
- Islanders: 6-4-0 in last 10 and excellent on the road against spread in tight games; Sorokin tends to keep totals manageable.
- Post-Olympic break games frequently see elevated scoring early due to rust and fresh legs. Both teams rank top-10 in combined goals per game.
Game Odds
New York Islanders 6.5
Montreal Canadiens – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 25, 2026
