New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, Picks & Odds | 21 Mar 2026

NHL Betting Preview: Islanders vs Canadiens

The New York Islanders go up against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre, with face-off scheduled for 18:00 on Saturday, March 21.

There’s an attractive -137 that the Canadiens are able to get the better of the Islanders. This bet can be secured on the Moneyline and we’re confident that it can happen.

New York Islanders suffered a defeat in their previous game. A 3-2 scoreline occurred on the road at Canadian Tire Centre against Ottawa Senators. Matthew Schaefer and Brayden Schenn scored one goal apiece.

Montreal Canadiens suffered a defeat in their last game. A 3-1 scoreline occurred on the road at Little Caesars Arena against Detroit Red Wings. Jakub Dobes recorded 25 saves (.926), while Juraj Slafkovsky was the only goalscorer.

Head-to-Head Statistics

The Islanders have beaten the Habs in the last two encounters. A 4-3 (OT) victory at UBS Arena was followed by a 4-3 (OT) win at Bell Centre. The Islanders have won six of the past 10 games that these teams have played.

Starting Goalies

Ilya Sorokin (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	29-24-2	2.7	.906	7
23/24	25-19-12	3.01	.908	2

Jacob Fowler (Confirmed)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	9-6-2	2.4	.908	1

6 wins and 4 losses, averaging 2.9 goals from 31.7 shots on goal, with a 14.7% powerplay efficiency. The Islanders have given up 3.0 goals from 29.0 shots, averaging 2.8 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 89.3%.

Mathew Barzal is the top points scorer with 11 points, 1 goal and 10 assists, with Matthew Schaefer recording 9 points, 3 goals and 6 assists, over the past 10 games. Goalie Ilya Sorokin have a 2.73 goal against average with a .905 save percentage.

The Habs have 5 wins, 4 losses and 1 overtime loss, averaging 3.5 goals from 28.9 shots on goal, with a 16.7% powerplay efficiency. They have been conceding 3.3 goals from 28.7 shots, averaging 3.4 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 85.3%.

The top points scorer is Nick Suzuki with 16 points, 6 goals and 10 assists, while Cole Caufield is next in line after registering 11 points, 7 goals and 4 assists. Goalie Jakub Dobes have a 2.73 GAA with a .899 SV%.

New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction & Picks

Discover our expert New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens betting tips, featuring a key match prediction, correct score suggestion, top player prop picks and bet builder advice. Scroll down for full analysis.

Game Prediction

The best bet could be taking Montreal Canadiens to simply achieve a victory in this NHL clash. Our pick can be taken at -137 on the Moneyline which yields a potentially nice return.

Recent form is always part of the equation and we combine it with team news as soon as it’s available. To deliver expert hockey picks, our handicappers also analyze the latest NHL stats to ensure we’re working with the best information possible.

Key Islanders vs Canadiens stats:

• Canadiens have won 6 of their last 10 games at home.
• Canadiens have won 12 of their last 20 games at home.

Canadiens Moneyline Probability

According to the latest odds, our pick has a 57.8% chance of winning. Our analysts think there’s a stronger chance of success and calculate the probability to be 60-65%. The bet can be recommended for this precise reason.

There are many options to simply backing Montreal to win and perhaps Winning Margin could be the way to go. We also recommend the 3-Way Moneyline and Puck Line.

Make your bet count—our comprehensive bonus guide highlights the latest free bets and betting promo codes worth grabbing.

Our Game Prediction

Canadiens Moneyline @ -137 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Mar 20, 22:56). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Emil Heineman Over 1.5 Shots -200

Emil Heineman (Islanders) has covered the 1.5 shots on goal total in 5 straight games. We think this could be a telling statistic and we’ll back him to cover the line which is available at odds of -200.

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Islanders 2 - 5 Canadiens

We’re taking a correct score bet which involves the Canadiens to win 5-2. The odds of +1500 make plenty of appeal and you should hopefully get some entertainment with this wager.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Islanders

Canadiens

1-0

Islanders

+5500

Canadiens

+5000

2-0

Islanders

+5000

Canadiens

+4500

2-1

Islanders

+1500

Canadiens

+1400

3-0

Islanders

+3500

Canadiens

+3000

3-1

Islanders

+2000

Canadiens

+1800

3-2

Islanders

+900

Canadiens

+800

4-0

Islanders

+4500

Canadiens

+3500

4-1

Islanders

+1800

Canadiens

+1400

4-2

Islanders

+1700

Canadiens

+1500

4-3

Islanders

+1050

Canadiens

+1000

5-0

Islanders

+9000

Canadiens

+6000

5-1

Islanders

+3000

Canadiens

+2200

5-2

Islanders

+1900

Canadiens

+1500

5-3

Islanders

+2500

Canadiens

+2200

5-4

Islanders

+2000

Canadiens

+1900

6-0

Islanders

+13000

Canadiens

+9000

6-1

Islanders

+7500

Canadiens

+5000

6-2

Islanders

+4000

Canadiens

+2800

6-3

Islanders

+3400

Canadiens

+2800

6-4

Islanders

+5000

Canadiens

+4500

6-5

Islanders

+5000

Canadiens

+4500

7-0

Islanders

+5000

Canadiens

+14000

7-1

Islanders

+12000

Canadiens

+9000

7-2

Islanders

+10000

Canadiens

+7000

7-3

Islanders

+6600

Canadiens

+5000

7-4

Islanders

+7000

Canadiens

+6000

7-5

Islanders

+11000

Canadiens

+10000

7-6

Islanders

+12000

Canadiens

+11000

8-1

Islanders

+12000

Canadiens

+14000

8-2

Islanders

+12000

Canadiens

+12000

8-3

Islanders

+12000

Canadiens

+12000

8-4

Islanders

+13000

Canadiens

+11000

8-5

Islanders

+13000

Canadiens

+13000

View More

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

Sportsbooks’ favorites Montreal Canadiens are regarded as likeliest victors for this game and the -122 about them triumphing means a 55% chance based on their current Moneyline betting odds. If you’re looking for an alternative angle, New York Islanders are trading at +102.

The puck line is 1.5 and the total goals line is currently 5.5. A Totals wager is always available and can often provide value selections. If you're keen on Over 5.5, this selection is available at -141.

Consider every angle when placing your bets. The best NHL sportsbooks offer a huge selection of game lines and team props and it’s all about finding a wager which matches your prediction of the clash.

Moneyline

Islanders

+102

Canadiens

-122

3-Way Moneyline

Islanders

+180

Tie

+325

Canadiens

+118

Puck Line

Islanders +1.5

-250

Canadiens -1.5

+198

Total Goals

Under 5.5

+114

Over 5.5

-141

If you have a view on Goaltender Saves, Blocked Shots, Powerplay Points or Goals, then the player and goalie props could be an option. It’s a great way of betting on a player to perform well and the gambling sites provide lots of interesting options.

You don’t have to wait for the final outcome when it comes to NHL micro betting. Instead, there’s the opportunity to wager on live lines which tend to be settled in a shorter space of time and the in-game odds are always changing.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

New York Islanders Stats

Montreal Canadiens Stats

Moneyline

• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games
• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 5 wins and 5 defeats in the last 10 games
• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 8 of the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 7 of the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 2 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 3 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 5.90 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 5.60 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 5.5: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 on the Road: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 2.90 goals and allowed 3.00 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 2.70 pts and allowed 2.90 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 6.90 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 6.50 goals in the previous 10 home games
• Over 5.5: Covered in 6 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 at Home: Covered in 7 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 3.50 goals and allowed 3.40 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 3.60 goals and allowed 2.90 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.5
• Shots: 31.7
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.2
• Penalties: 2.8
• Empty Net Goals: 0
• Penalty Minutes: 6.5
• Blocks: 16.3
• Faceoff Wins : 29.3
• Hits: 21.2
• Giveaways: 13.3
• Takeaways: 5.3

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 31.1
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 2.8
• Empty Net Goals: 0.1
• Penalty Minutes: 6.8
• Blocks: 17.4
• Faceoff Wins : 30
• Hits: 21.1
• Giveaways: 13.8
• Takeaways: 4.8

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 28.9
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 3.4
• Empty Net Goals: 0.3
• Penalty Minutes: 7.3
• Blocks: 12.9
• Faceoff Wins : 29.8
• Hits: 21.5
• Giveaways: 16
• Takeaways: 4.5

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.3
• Shots: 29.2
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.2
• Penalties: 3.1
• Empty Net Goals: 0.3
• Penalty Minutes: 6.7
• Blocks: 15.5
• Faceoff Wins : 29.9
• Hits: 20.9
• Giveaways: 13.9
• Takeaways: 5

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