NHL Game Preview: Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders with Line Combinations 3/20/2025

Nick Suzuki skating for the Montreal Canadiens
Photo: Nick Wass/AP

Montreal Canadiens (33-27-7, 73 pts) at New York Islanders (31-28-8, 70 pts)

Venue: UBS Arena
Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 7:30 pm EST 
TV: ESPN+ / TVAS / MSGS
Radio: 
Montreal Canadiens – TSN 690 AM (English) / 98,5 FM Cogeco (French)
New York Islanders – WRHU 88.7 FM / 103.9 FM LI News Radio

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
Montreal Canadiens +1.5 ML +110
New York Islanders -1.5 ML -130
O/U 5.5

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Montreal Canadiens News & Notes:

Montreal has won two games in a row and vaulted into a Wild Card spot with 15 games left in the season. The Canadiens are red hot with a 7-1-2 record in their last ten games. Montreal is 15-15-3 away from the Bell Centre as they face the Islanders tonight in a game with huge playoff implications. Montreal can solidify their position with a win, but the Islanders can pull within one point of Montreal for the second Wild Card spot with a victory.

New York Islanders News & Notes: 

Tonight’s game against Montreal is a must-win for the Islanders. With a loss, New York will fall 5 points behind Montreal for the final playoff spot. The Islanders have won two straight and will try to make it three in a row tonight at home, where they have a 16-13-3 record. New York is 6-3-1 in their last ten games and has played some of their best hockey of the year down the stretch. Tonight is the third and final meeting between these clubs this season, with the first two contests going to extra-time and the teams grabbing one win apiece.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Roy-Newhook-Laine
Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
Heineman-Evans-Armia

Matheson-Carrier
Struble-Hutson
Xhekaj-Savard

Montembeault
Dobes

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New York Islanders Projected Lines:

Holmstrom-Horvat-Palmieri
Lee-Pageau-Duclair
Engvall-Cizikis-Fasching
Tsyplakov-MacLean-Gatcomb

Pelech-DeAngelo
Dobson-Pulock
Reilly-Mayfield

Sorokin
Hogberg

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Players To Watch:

Montreal Canadiens

Nick Suzuki has been a catalyst for Montreal’s climb into playoff position with six goals and ten assists in his last ten games. The 25-year-old Center leads the Canadiens in scoring with 70 points (21g, 49a) in 67 games. The London, Ontario native is on pace for 86 points, which would be a career-high. In two games against the Islanders, Suzuki has a goal and two assists. 

New York Islanders 

Kyle Palmieri snapped a five-game streak without any points with a three-point game (1g, 2a) in the Islanders’ 4-2 victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night. Palmieri hit the 20-goal mark on March 4 against Winnipeg, it marks his seventh 20+ goal season and his second straight with the Islanders. In two games against Montreal this season Palmieri has a goal. 

Injury Report:

Montreal Canadiens

C Kirby Dach – IR
D David Reinbacher – IR
D Kaiden Guhle – OUT

New York Islanders

G Semyon Varlamov – IR
C Mathew Barzal – IR
D Alexander Romanov – Day To Day
D Adam Boqvist – Day To Day

Next Game:

Montreal Canadiens – March 22 vs. Colorado Avalanche
New York Islanders – March 22 vs. Calgary Flames

Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G. Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Brad Marchand wins his second Cup.- Bruins are in on another overseas player. Maxim Shabanov of the KHL. Is this the only real route they can take now?- Bruins Development Camp Roster is out. What are some intriguing names?- More teams shopping draft picks. Will the Bruins be able to trade the 7th pick?- Troy Terry is potentially available. Is he a fit for the Bruins?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  2. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  3. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.
  4. Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo?
  5. Season 4. Episode 33. Sweens Extension

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