How To Watch NY Rangers vs Canadiens in Eastern Conference Matchup

Here is all the information you need to watch the New York Rangers take on the Montreal Canadiens.

Oct 18, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Rangers forward Will Cuylle (50) and Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov (93) battle for the puck during the first period at the Bell Centre. / Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers are the only team in the Eastern Conference that has been eliminated from playoff contention, but that doesn’t mean they have already packed things in for the stretch of the regular season.

With seven games remaining, the team is riding a three-game winning streak, which is tied for its second-longest this campaign. They will be looking to extend that streak to four games against the Montreal Canadiens.

This is an important game for the Canadiens, who have 96 points on the season, putting them only two ahead of the Boston Bruins, with one game in hand. Montreal possesses a sizable lead on the other wild-card hopefuls, but would love to avoid that altogether by finishing in the top three of the Atlantic Division.

Here is all the information you will need to enjoy the game tonight, whether taking it on television, streaming or radio.

Dec 13, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) and Montréal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) chase after the puck in the second period at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Who: Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers

When: Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Television: MSG, TS2

Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo TV or Gotham Sports App

Radio: ESPN 1050 AM

This is the third and final matchup between two of the Original Six franchises. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rangers have found a ton of success this season against the Canadiens.

New York has won both matchups, picking up a 4-3 victory on Oct. 18 in Montreal before defeating them at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13, 5-4 in overtime.

Rangers looking to finish season perfect against Canadiens

Mar 31, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers right wing Jaroslav Chmelar (49) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Jonathan Quick was the starting goalie in the first matchup, while Igor Shesterkin was between the pipes in Game 2. For the third and final matchup, it will be Shesterkin handling the start with Quick being listed as day-to-day on the injury report with an upper-body ailment.

Shesterkin has been as productive as ever for the Rangers despite the team’s lack of overall success. He is 24-16-6 on the year with a 2.49 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. One shutout has been recorded.

Opposing the Rangers' star goaltender will be Jacob Fowler, who is making his 15th start of the campaign. He has a 7-5-2 record with a 2.57 goals against average and a .903 save percentage. One shutout has been recorded by him this season.

This will be his second start against New York this season. He didn’t start in the first matchup with Sam Montembeault in the lineup. Their most-used goalie this season, Jakub Dobes, didn’t face off against the Rangers.