New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 3/21/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN2

The New York Islanders (39-24-5) are on their way to Bell Centre on Saturday where they will attempt to beat the Montreal Canadiens (37-20-10).

The New York Islanders were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 3-1 win against the Maple Leafs in their previous contest . New York accumulated 11 penalty minutes in this contest. The Islanders offense showed they have some room for improvement in this win. Moreover, they had 6 power play chances and were able to net 2 goals. In the game, they tallied a score on 3 of the 34 shots they put on net.

New York Islanders opponents have totaled 184 power play tries (25th in the league) and have racked up 33 goals in those attempts. The Islanders thus far have had 1,908 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .902. New York has taken 1,916 shots and has a shot percentage of 10.2%. When at even strength, the Islanders have allowed 154 goals while having 163 when they are on offense. New York skates onto the rink with 201 power play opportunities and they have tallied 33 goals during those advantages, earning them a percentage of 16.42%. For the year, they have earned 83 points and their points % is .610. With regard to their scoring capabilities, the New York Islanders have tallied 196 goals (21st in pro hockey) for the season and have conceded 187.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been involved in 295 games over the course of his hockey career. He has compiled a record of 150-104-38 and he started in 290 games. Opponents have racked up 738 goals against Sorokin in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.54. Sorokin has had 8,771 shot attempts against him and has recorded 8,033 saves. He has a save percentage of .916 in his 13,514 mins between the pipes. In his career, Sorokin has accounted for 187 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .645.

When they took the ice last, Montreal faced off against the Bruins in a game where the Canadiens got the victory by a score of 3-2. They had 1 power play chance in this one but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Canadiens tallied 3 goals of the 31 shots on goal they were seeking.

Montreal has put up 1,777 shots (23rd in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 13.17%, while allowing the other team 1,843 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 76.89% on their opponents 212 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 88.2%. They have a total of 191 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 24.08%. The Canadiens have 188 goals at even strength and 46 goals (9th in the league) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 217 goals to be scored by way of 168 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. This season, the Montreal Canadiens have earned 234 goals, 84 points, and a points percentage of .627.

For the opposition you are likely to see Jakub Dobes in the crease. Dobes has a career mark of 29-11-7 and has been in net for 49 games. Dobes' quality start percentage comes out to 55.3% and he has made 26 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He is sitting with 1,177 stops out of the 1,311 shots taken against him, giving him a save percentage of .898. Teams are averaging 2.85 goals/game and he has given up 134 goals altogether. He has been a starter 47 games and has played for a total of 928 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take New York

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