Ranking: the Canadian can’t afford to lose tonight

Let’s look at the standings.

In addition to the Senators’ win yesterday (against Detroit, who lost in regulation), the Montreal Canadiens are now four points away from the Blue Jackets and the playoffs.

Two teams need to be overtaken to qualify. The Canadiens have 19 games left in the season.

But aside from the two teams to be overtaken, it remains that the Canadiens must also not be caught up by the other teams currently in the playoff race.

It’s no wonder the CH has less than 10% chance of making the playoffs, as of this morning.

The Canadiens, who will play in Vancouver tonight, have no choice but to win. After all, if they lose a third game in a row, they will likely wake up in a tough spot in the standings the next morning.

Why? Because it would be surprising if all the teams in the race lost.

There are many matchups to watch for the Canadiens. First, the Senators, who have a five-point lead over the CH, will face the Flyers, who trail the Flannel by four points

The Bruins, who have two more games behind the Canadiens but have the same number of points, will host the Florida Panthers. Brad Marchand will be in town.

The Blue Jackets, who have four more points than the CH, will be in New Jersey.

The Rangers, who have two more points than the Canadiens and have played one more game, will be in the West to face the Jets in Winnipeg.

All these games will start before the Flannel’s, which will take place at 10 pm for Quebecers. But 30 minutes later, the Islanders, led by Patrick Roy (65 points in the standings), will face the Kings in California.

The Islanders and the Bruins can overtake the CH (66 points), and teams like the Rangers, the Blue Jackets, and the Senators can increase their lead. So no, the CH has no choice but to win – if only to prove to Kent Hughes that he made the right decision in trusting the team.

In a hurry

– Hello, Brad Marchand.

Brad Marchand took the ice at TD Garden this morning … in a Florida Panthers jersey.

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— Amalie Benjamin (@amaliebenjamin.bsky.social) March 11, 2025, at 11:40

– Deadline: the Snake would have traded the Canadiens’ rental players. [CA]

– Cole Caufield scores a lot on the road. [TVAS]

– Nikita Grebenkin has advice for Ivan Demidov. [RG media]

– Nice.