NHL: Islanders vs. Canadiens Picks and Odds | February 26, 2026
Written by: Nick Zanghi
Published: Thu Feb 26, 2026, 12:16 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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We're back from the Olympic break for these two teams and we're heading to Canada. The New York Islanders will take on the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre tonight. This will be the first of three meetings between the two this year.
New York is 32-21-5 this season and third in the Metro Division. They were on a two-game winning streak when headed into the break. The Islanders are 16-11-3 on the road and 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
Its playoff push time and the Islanders can't slip up. The Eastern Conference is jam packed and one to two losses could put them out of the playoffs. They're only four points ahead of Columbus for third in the Metro and would only tie the Bruins for the second wild card spot.
The Olympians returning for the Islanders are Bo Horvat and newly added Ondrej Palat. Both had great tournaments and will be welcomed back with open arms. Horvat comes back with a silver medal for Team Canada.
Goalie Ilya Sorokin is expected to get the start. He is 20-13-2 this season with a 2.43 GAA and a .916 save percentage. Sorokin leads the league with 6 shutouts on the season.
Check out the odds for this matchup and other NHL games at the best online sportsbooks.
Montreal looks to kick it back into gear to be playoff bound
Canadiens players Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson celebrate after scoring a goal.
The Canadiens are 32-17-8 this year and second in the Atlantic Division. They went into the break off a nice 5-1 win over the Jets. Montreal was 6-3-1 in their last ten games and are 16-11-1 at home this season.
This team has been a nice surprise this season. They have been killing it this season and will welcome back some core players from the Olympics. Captain Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Texier all return to the team.
Montreal's offense has been electric, ranking in the top of the league for goals scored and power play conversion. They rank twenty fifth for shots on goal per game but shoot smart with the best shooting percentage in the league. These are keys to success.
On defense, they rank towards the bottom of the league for goals allowed and penalty kill. The Canadiens don't play the smartest hockey and rank fifth worst for penalties committed per game. They rank middle of the league for shots on goal allowed.
In net, we're expected to see Jakub Dobes. He is 18-5-4 this season with a 2.85 GAA and a .892 save percentage. Let's check out the odds and get into the Islanders vs. Canadiens picks.
New York Islanders vs. Montreal Canadiens Betting Odds and Game Information
Islanders vs. Canadiens Betting Odds – February 26
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Islanders | +1.5 (-190) | +130 | Over 6.5 (+115) |
| Montreal Canadiens | -1.5 (+160) | -150 | Under 6.5 (-135) |
Odds courtesy of Lucky Rebel – Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up
Islanders vs. Canadiens Game Information
- Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
- Date: Thursday February 26, 2026
- Puck Drop: 7 p.m. EST
- TV: MSGSN
New York Islanders vs. Montreal Canadiens Picks and Prediction
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin stares down the ices as Canadiens forward Cole Caufield waits for the faceoff.
Islanders vs. Canadiens Picks and Predictions: Game Total Under 6.5 Goals (-135) Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up with Lucky Rebel
Going with these teams to have some rust. Both have been off for two weeks with the exception of a few guys and I think we see a slow start. We also will see decent goaltending with a 6.5 total.
I think Sorokin comes back looking good. He looked really good leading up to the break, so you hope he comes back looking fresh. The Islanders allow about 28 shots per game, and I think he sees that from Montreal, but holds strong.
Give me Sorokin to get over his saves line. I think the line will come out around 26-27 saves, but I will not be surprised to see the Habs put up 30 shots or more. The value on the line should be around -120 which is solid value.
I like for Bo Horvat to come out and get a goal. He played well for Team Canada and loves his teammates. I could easily see him come back and scoring a power play goal right off the rip.
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Nick Zanghi
Nick Zanghi is an avid hockey fan who loves to bet on the NHL Props. He has also found a liking for the WNBA. Born and raised on LI, NZ is a lifelong Islanders #isles fan and a new NY Liberty fan #LIGHTITUPNYL. When not watching or attending sporting events, he enjoys grilling and time with his wife and kids.
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