NY Islanders need a win to avoid playoff elimination versus Montreal at UBS Arena

The New York Islanders return to UBS Arena on Sunday night with their season hanging in the balance, hosting the Montreal Canadiens in a must-win game that will determine whether they have one final meaningful game left to play or not.

After a 3-0 loss to Ottawa on Saturday — combined with a Philadelphia win — the Islanders find themselves three points out of a playoff spot with just two games remaining. The math is simple: anything less than a regulation win could officially end their postseason hopes.

The standings paint a crowded and unforgiving picture. The Islanders (91 points) are chasing the Flyers (94) while also battling with Columbus and Washington, both sitting right around them with games in hand and tiebreaker advantages.

Head coach Peter DeBoer is expected to lean heavily on Ilya Sorokin, even on the second half of a back-to-back. “All bets are off at this point in the year,” DeBoer said, signaling just how desperate the situation has become. Sorokin has carried the load all season, and now the Islanders will once again rely on him to keep their hopes alive.

The Canadiens present a formidable challenge, even with their playoff spot already secured. Montreal sits near the top of the Atlantic Division and is powered by one of the league’s most dangerous scorers in Cole Caufield, who enters the night with 51 goals, along with Nick Suzuki, who is nearing the 100-point mark. The Canadiens also play a disciplined, structured game, leading the NHL in blocked shots and taking care of the puck better than any team.

The season series between these teams is split, including a lopsided 7-3 Montreal win last month, which included arguably the worst third period the Islanders played all season.

Noah Dobson, who the Islanders traded in the off-season to Montreal, was slated to make his return to UBS Arena on Sunday night, but left Saturday's game after a blocking a shot and did not return.