Islanders vs Canadiens Prediction 2/26/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate an Islanders vs Canadiens Prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, February 26^th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Montreal Canadiens Preview

The Canadiens have 72 points this season with a 32-17-8 record, and are 33-24 ATS and 34-21 in over/under. They have a 16-11-1 home record and a 16-6-7 road record and are sitting 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 5-1 road win over the Jets, and their previous three games were a 4-3 road overtime loss to the Wild, a 4-2 road win over the Sabres, and a 7-3 home win over the Avalanche.

Offensively, the Canadiens are averaging 3.46 goals per game and are scoring 23.9% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.21 goals per game and are killing 76.9% of their opponent’s power plays.

Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens with 65 points and 18 goals, while Lane Hutson leads the team in assists with 48. Jakub Dobes is the starting goalie for the Canadiens, and he has a 18-5-4 record, with 2.96 GAA and .892 SV%. Samuel Montembeault is the backup goalie and he has a 10-8-2 record, with 3.34 GAA and .875 SV%.

New York Islanders Preview

The Islanders have 69 points this season with a 32-21-5 record, and are 30-28 ATS and 25-31 in over/under. They have a 16-10-2 home record and a 16-11-3 road record and are sitting 3rd in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 3-1 road win over the Devils, and their previous three games were a 5-4 home overtime win over the Penguins, a 4-1 road loss to the Capitals, and a 4-3 home loss to the Predators.

Offensively, the Islanders are averaging 2.84 goals per game and are scoring 15.7% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2.71 goals per game and are killing 82.4% of their opponent’s power plays.

Mathew Barzal leads the Islanders with 51 points and 34 assists, while Bo Horvat leads the team in goals with 24. Ilya Sorokin is the starting goalie for the Islanders, and he has a 20-13-2 record, with 2.44 GAA and .916 SV%. David Rittich is the backup goalie and he has a 12-8-3 record, with 2.57 GAA and .900 SV%.

New York Islanders @ Montreal Canadiens Betting Trends: February 26, 2026

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The home team has won each of the last nine games between the Islanders and Canadiens.
• The Islanders have lost seven of their last eight games following a road win.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last six games.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games at Bell Centre.
• The Canadiens have won the third period in six of their last seven games against the Islanders when trailing after the second period.

Why the New York Islanders will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Islanders’ last four games at Bell Centre.
• The Canadiens have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last 11 games.
• The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as a favorite when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Canadiens have lost the third period in each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Twelve of the Islanders’ last 13 road games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the Canadiens’ last five home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 17 games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last 11 games.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in each of the Canadiens’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in each of the Canadiens’ last six games against the Islanders.
• Alexandre Texier has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances – [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.

New York Islanders Player Prop Facts

• Mathew Barzal has scored a goal in each of the Islanders’ last four games.
• Calum Ritchie has recorded an assist in four of his last five appearances in road games.
• Mathew Barzal has recorded at least four shots in each of his last zero appearances – [longest/equal-longest] active streak in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Montreal Canadiens rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.46).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 7th in the league in power play percentage this season (23.93%).
• The New York Islanders rank 31st in the league in power play percentage this season (15.70%).
• The New York Islanders rank 3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.71).

Islanders vs Canadiens Prediction

The Islanders are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Canadiens but have lost their last four visits in Montreal.

In this Islanders vs Canadiens Prediction, the Canadiens are coming as -150 home favorites. Both teams have exactly the same number of overall wins so far and both have been in good form lately, with a 4-1 and 5-2 record in their last 5 and 7 games respectively. In what looks like a coinflip game, I like the value with the home team, as they have not lost in Montreal by the Islanders since 2022 and have a superior offense this season. Take the Canadiens on the moneyline in this one.