NHL Game Preview: New York Islanders at Montreal Canadiens with Line Combinations 02/26/2026

New York Islanders (32-21-5, 69 pts) at Montreal Canadiens (32-17-8, 72 pts)

Venue: Prudential Center
Date: Thursday, February 26
Time: 7:00 pm EST
How To Watch: ESPN+/TSN2/RDS/MSGSN
Radio: 103.9 FM LI NEWS/101.9 FM/TSN 690

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New York Islanders News & Notes:

The Islanders were on a two-game winning streak before the Olympic break. They had won five of their last seven games, averaging 3.3 goals per game while allowing 2.3 goals per game.

Montreal Canadiens News & Notes:

The Canadiens picked up a 5-1 win over the Jets before the break. They had points in five straight games entering the break, averaging 4.4 goals per game while allowing 2.4 goals per game during that stretch.

New York Islanders Projected Lines:

Palat-Horvat-Barzal
Drouin-Ritchie-Heineman
Lee-Pageu-Holmstrom
Maclean-Cizikas-Gatcomb

Schaefer-Pulock
Pelech-DeAngelo
Soucy-Mayfield

Sorokin
Rittich

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Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines

Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Slafkovsky-Kapanen-Demidov
Veleno-Evans-Bolduc
Anderson-Danault-Gallagher

Hutson-Dobson
Matheson-Guhle
Struble-Carrier

Montembeault
Dobes

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Players To Watch:

New York Islanders

Anders Lee had a point in every game against Montreal last season, finishing with two goals and an assist against them.

Montreal Canadiens

Nick Suzuki had a point in each game against the Islanders last season, finishing with a goal and three assists against them.

Injury Report:

New York Islanders

F Pierre Engvall – IR
G Semyon Varlamov – IR
D Alexander Romanov – IR
F Kyle Palmieri – IR

Montreal Canadiens

F Patrik Laine – IR
F Alex Newhook – IR
D David Reinbacher – Out
F Alexandre Texier – DTD

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