| MATCHUP | New York Islanders | Montreal Canadiens |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 32-21-5 | 32-17-8 |
| Spread | +1.5 -205 | -1.5 170 |
| Moneyline | +130 | -155 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (110) | Under 6.5 (-130) |
| Where | Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | |
| When | Thursday, February 26, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens meet Thursday in NHL action at the Bell Centre. Here’s a New York Islanders vs. Montreal Canadiens prediction. This article will include a New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens pick.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders beat the Penguins and Devils, and they play the Blue Jackets next. The Islanders have won 5 of their last 7 games.
The New York Islanders are averaging 2.84 goals per game and are scoring 15.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Bo Horvat leads New York with 24 goals, Mathew Barzal has 34 assists and Anders Lee has 140 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 2.71 goals per game and are killing 82.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. David Rittich has allowed 59 goals on 590 shots faced, and Ilya Sorokin has given up 85 goals on 1,012 shots.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens lost to the Wild and beat the Jets, and they play the Capitals next. The Canadiens have won 4 of their last 5 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 3.46 goals per game and are scoring on 23.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 32 goals, Lane Hutson has 48 assists and Nick Suzuki has 119 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.21 goals per game and are killing 76.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jakub Dobes has given up 77 goals on 710 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 72 goals on 576 shots.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won eight of their last nine home games following a road win.
- The Islanders have lost each of their last four road games following a road win.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last six games against the Islanders.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three night games at the Bell Centre.
- The Islanders have lost the third period in four of their last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The underdogs have won each of the last four games between the Islanders and Canadiens at Bell Centre.
- The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 13 of the Canadiens’ last 14 games.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites following a road win.
- The underdogs have won the second period in four of the Canadiens’ last five games.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of the Islanders’ last 10 games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the Canadiens’ last five games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 16 games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Nick Suzuki has scored a goal in each of the Canadiens’ last six Thursday games against Metropolitan Division opponents at Bell Centre.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Juraj Slafkovsky has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances—the [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Mathew Barzal has scored a goal in six of the Islanders’ last seven games.
- Bo Horvat has recorded an assist in four of the Islanders’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Casey Cizikas has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances—the [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 26th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (76.88%).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank T29th in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (1.25).
- The New York Islanders rank 8th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.39%).
- The New York Islanders have recorded the equal-most wins when tied or trailing after Period 2 this season (16).
New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction
Two teams that haven’t played in weeks—it’s hard to pinpoint what’s going to happen. The Islanders are one of those teams that do the opposite of what I predict. Still, we’re getting plus money with an Islanders team that’s won 3 of the last 4 games against the Habs. The Canadiens have lost 11 times on their home ice, while the Islanders have had success on the road. The last four games between these teams have gone into overtime, so maybe an over is worth a look as well. Either way, give me the home dog.