NYI@MTL: What you need to know

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE BELL CENTER

Soirée Québécoise in collaboration with Sponge Towels

Quebec tradition, delicacies, and extra will probably be within the highlight on Thursday!

Here’s a take a look at what followers can count on on the enviornment:

• Quebec maple taffy on snow will probably be out there at a kiosk in Section 112;

• A Quebec maple cocktail will probably be out there on the bars in Section 103 and 320, in addition to in M2 Marché Montréal Loto-Québec;

• Classic tourtière and tourtière poutine menu objects will probably be out there at La Classique and Chquick Chquick concessions, respectively;

• Quebec musician David Jalbert will carry out pregame, postgame, and through intermissions in M2 Marché Montréal Loto-Québec.

New Canadiens x Gilles Villeneuve assortment at Tricolore Sports

In honor of Soirée Québécoise, Tricolore Sports is dropping a brand new merch assortment celebrating legendary Quebec race automotive driver Gilles Villeneuve:

• Exclusive objects will probably be out there in-store on the Bell Center in addition to on-line;

• A Ferrari T2 will probably be in Canadiens Plaza for followers to take images with.

New playlist and contest

The Francos de Montréal programming workforce has curated a playlist of 100% Quebec songs which can be good for recreation evening, out there by clicking here.

Fans also can take a look at their data with a Canadiens x Francos quiz for an opportunity to win a prize pack, together with a brand new merchandise from the Gilles Villeneuve assortment, by clicking here.

Special 50/50 raffle

A particular version of the 50/50 raffle on the Bell Center will profit the Jewish General Hospital Foundation on Thursday.

Fans in Quebec aged 18+ can buy raffle tickets on the recreation, or on-line at jgh5050.com.

TEAM COMPARISONS

We’re undecided momentum survives a three-week break, but when it does, Montreal has it. The Canadiens enter tonight’s matchup using a five-game (4-0-1) level streak, highlighted by assertion wins over the Buffalo Sabres, Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche earlier than the schedule pause. With 25 video games remaining and the Canadiens sitting simply seven factors away from a playoff spot, the margin for error is slim. The stretch drive begins now, and Montreal will look to choose up proper the place it left off in pursuit of a second straight postseason berth.

The Islanders, in the meantime, discover themselves in an identical spot: third within the Metropolitan Division and 5 factors away from the playoff lower line. In the midst of a powerful bounce again marketing campaign, New York arrives in Montreal using a two-game win streak. Structure has been the muse beneath head coach Patrick Roy this season. The Islanders rank third in objectives in opposition to per recreation, sixth in faceoff proportion and eighth on the penalty kill in 2025-26 — a formulation constructed on protection and reliable goaltending.

SEASON SERIES

Feb. 26 vs. NYI:

Mar. 21 vs. NYI:

Apr. 12 @ NYI:

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR

Who else however Noah Dobson for the Canadiens? Drafted fifth general by the Islanders in 2018, Dobson spent the primary six seasons of his profession on Long Island. On Tuesday, the defenseman will face his former membership for the primary time since being acquired by the Canadiens final summer season.

At the opposite finish of the ice, one other high-profile blue-liner takes the highlight. Canadian followers will get their first take a look at 2025 first-overall choose Matthew Schaefer. The 18-year-old has totaled 39 factors in 58 video games in his rookie marketing campaign.

Other names to look out for on Thursday are Alex Newhook, who returns from a long-term harm, Ivan Demidov, who seems to problem Schaefer for the Calder Trophy, and Emil Heineman, who returns to Montreal after being despatched to New York in trade for Dobson.

BY THE NUMBERS: ISLES-HABS

Here’s how the Islanders and Canadiens match up by the numbers: