EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — The New York Islanders are gearing up for what is arguably the biggest game of their season, hosting the Montreal Canadiens at UBS Arena on March 20, 2025. With playoff aspirations hanging in the balance, both teams enter this crucial matchup with a palpable tension in the air. The Islanders, struggling to stay in contention for a wild-card playoff spot, face off against the Canadiens, who currently occupy the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.
The stakes couldn't be higher. As it stands, the Canadiens hold 73 points in 67 games, while the Islanders trail closely with 70 points in the same number of games. A victory for the Islanders would not only tighten the race but also put them in a favorable position to control their playoff destiny. Conversely, a loss could jeopardize the ground the Islanders have fought hard to cover, especially with only 15 games left to secure a postseason berth.
However, the Islanders will take the ice without one of their key defensemen, Alexander Romanov, who is not expected to play due to lingering effects from an illness. Head Coach Patrick Roy mentioned Romanov’s absence in his pre-game remarks, stating, “Honestly, I’m not going to take any credit. It’s all our players. Our players have been working incredibly hard since the beginning of the season. We have dealt with important injuries to important players in our team. And, I’ll tell you, since the trade with Brock Nelson, the players have stepped up. The players understood that each one would give a little more. And it’s how we managed to succeed.”
The Islanders are well aware of the significance of this night. Team leader Bo Horvat emphasized the need for focus, stating, “It’s the biggest game of the year. Obviously, we know where they are in the standings, and all these points matter. We’re going to be playing big games, playoff-type games, do-or-die games the entire rest of the season. We just have to be prepared every single night for that.”
Teammate Kyle Palmieri echoed these sentiments, noting, “It’s an opportunity. You’ve got nothing to lose. You wanna be a group that is looked to as dangerous. This time of year, it’s the most fun to play in. I think trying to get yourself into the playoffs, it’s a blast. You just enjoy every second of it.”
For the Canadiens, the situation is equally intense. Currently enjoying a productive streak of wins, they have found their footing again after a challenging period where they lost seven of eight games. Since February 22, they have managed eight wins in eleven outings, solidifying their spot in the standings, but pressure remains as they head into enemy territory.
Ryan Pulock of the Islanders reflected on the team’s experience in similar high-pressure situations, emphasizing, “We know where we’re at. We’ve been in these positions before, and this isn’t really anything new to us. The last few years I feel like this time of year we’ve been clawing our way into a playoff spot. Another chance tonight, so yeah is it the biggest game of the year.”
As the teams prepare to clash, betting lines indicate the Islanders as favorites at -130 against the Canadiens at +110. With a total score set at 5.5, the matchup promises to be competitive and closely contested.
The gameplay statistics indicate contrasting forms. The Canadiens have been formidable in offense, scoring more than four goals in eight out of their last eleven games, while the Islanders have struggled offensively, averaging only 2.7 goals per game over their last ten. As teams meet for the third and final time this season—having split previous encounters with an Islanders shootout victory in October and a Canadiens overtime win in December—every aspect of the gameplay will be crucial.
Many eyes will be on the performance of standout players. For the Canadiens, Nick Suzuki continues to shine with 49 assists, while Cole Caufield leads their goal tally with 33. For the Islanders, Kyle Palmieri has 21 goals and 23 assists to his name, making him a notable player to watch in this high-stakes contest.
The puck is set to drop at 7:30 PM, and both teams are destined to leave everything on the ice in pursuit of crucial points in the race for the playoffs. As fans fill the UBS Arena, excitement and anticipation build—these are the moments that define a season, shifting the narrative with each fiery check and determined stride.
