New York Islanders vs Montréal Canadiens Picks and Predictions March 20th 2025

Canadiens, Islanders Clash Off Mighty Comeback Victories

The Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders, both fighting for playoff positioning, square off in a critical Eastern Conference matchup Thursday night in New York. Both teams are riding the momentum of dramatic third-period comebacks in their previous games.

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Canadiens Surging at the Right Time

Montreal (33-27-7, 73 points) continues to defy expectations, entering Thursday’s game in the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The Canadiens stormed back from a 3-2 deficit Tuesday night, scoring four unanswered goals in the final 9:38 to stun the Ottawa Senators 6-3.

“This was our biggest win of the season, for sure. And the next one’s going to be the biggest one. We’re in playoff mode right now. We can’t afford losses and giving up points.” — Nick Suzuki

Since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off, Montreal has been red-hot, going 8-1-2 to climb from six points back into a playoff spot. The team has not made the playoffs in a full 82-game season since 2016-17, but their current surge has made them a serious contender.

Islanders Continue Late-Season Push

The Islanders (31-28-8, 70 points) find themselves in familiar territory, fighting to secure a playoff berth with a strong late-season push. New York pulled off another signature comeback on Tuesday, rallying from a two-goal deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2.

“Every season is different, but we have found ourselves the last couple of years in this situation. It’s a veteran group in here. We know what it takes at this time of the year. It’s not always going to be pretty. But you’ve just got to find a way and dig deep.” — Noah Dobson

Dobson played a key role in the victory, tying the game in the third period before Pierre Engvall netted the game-winner eight minutes later. The Islanders also rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 4-2 on Sunday.

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Key Matchup Factors

Both teams are in must-win territory as they chase the final playoff spots. The Canadiens hold a two-point lead over the Islanders and Rangers, but New York has a game in hand on Detroit and more regulation wins than Columbus, giving them a critical tiebreaker advantage.

For those tracking NHL betting predictions, this game could be a playoff-style battle with both teams looking to continue their momentum and solidify their postseason chances.