Marc Dumont
The Montreal Canadiens (32-17-8) are set to host the New York Islanders (32-21-5), with the puck drop scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.
This is the team’s first game back since the Olympic break, and it will carry with it certain playoff implications, as both the Habs and the Islanders find themselves among the top eight organizations in the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens are currently second in the Atlantic Division, with 72 points to their credit, while the Islanders are third in the Metropolitan Division, with 69 points in the bank. Seeing as there are only 25 games left on the docket, Montreal can’t afford to leave any points on the table, even if they’re in a relatively healthy situation in regard to their playoff hopes, which stand at 82.5%.
Lineup Changes, Starting Goalie
Samuel Montembeault will receive the start for the Canadiens, and though he has only won two of his last five games, his last start before the Olympics featured a dominant performance that saw him stop 36 of the 37 shots sent his way to secure a victory versus the Winnipeg Jets.
There will also be a new face in the lineup, so to speak.
Alex Newhook is set to return from his ankle injury, and will feature on the Canadiens’ third line, alongside Jake Evans and Alex Texier. Newhook’s last game took place on November 13, versus the Dallas Stars, where he suffered a significant ankle injury that necessitated surgical intervention. Prior to the injury, Newhook had enjoyed a solid start to the season, to the tune of six goals and six assists in 17 games.
His presence will surely add a much-needed dose of speed to the lineup.
Newhook’s return to play will impact several players, as Kirby Dach will return to the first line, while Zachary Bolduc and Joe Veleno watch the game from the press box as healthy scratches. Patrik Laine, on the other hand, is not quite ready to play, and is still considered day-to-day.
As for the defencemen, the only significant change in the lineup will see Arber Xhekaj replace Jayden Struble on the third pairing.
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup
Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Kirby Dach
Juraj Slafkovsky – Oliver Kapanen – Ivan Demidov
Alex Newhook – Jake Evans – Alex Texier
Josh Anderson – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
Mike Matheson – Kaiden Guhle
Lane Hutson – Noah Dobson
Arber Xhekaj – Alex Carrier
Samuel Montembeault
New York Islanders Projected Lineup
Onrej Palat – Bo Horvat – Matthew Barzal
Jonathan Drouin – Calum Ritchie – Emil Heineman
Anders Lee – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Simon Holmstrom
Kyle Maclean – Casey Cizikas – Marc Gatcomb
Matthew Schaefer – Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech – Tony DeAngelo
Scott Mayfield – Carson Soucy
Ilya Sorokin
How To Watch The Habs Vs. The Islanders
The Montreal Canadiens versus the New York Islanders, Thursday, February 26, 2026, will be aired on Sportsnet and RDS. An instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Sportsnaut as soon as the final whistle takes place.
