Atlantic Division teams have been dominating lately (and luckily the habs are doing well)

Marc-Olivier Cook
Atlantic Division teams have been dominating lately (and luckily the habs are doing well)
Credit: Getty Images

At the time of writing, the Canadiens are in third place in their division.

With last night's win over the Wings, they could have taken sole possession of first place, but that didn't happen. That's okay: there are still several games to be played between now and the end of the season.

But the Habs had better be sharp, because right now, the playoff race in the East and Atlantic is so, so tight.

When you look at it, the Atlantic clubs have been dominating for the last 10 games. And that's no understatement:

  • 9-1-0 Lightning record
  • 7-1-2 Leafs record
  • 7-2-1 Red Wings record
  • Sabres 9-1-0 (also 13 wins in 14 games)

The Habs, with a 6-2-2 record in their last ten games, are holding the fort. But the toughest part of the season is coming up, and the Canadiens can't afford to collapse if they want to make the playoffs.

Between now and the end of the season, the Canadiens have the eighth toughest schedule in the NHL. They will have to face…

  • Avalanche (once)
  • Wild (twice)
  • Lightning (twice)
  • Hurricanes (twice)
  • Red Wings (once)
  • The surprising Islanders (three times)

The games against the Lightning and Red Wings are going to be very important indeed. They'll be “four-point games” in the standings, and I'm especially keen to see how the Habs respond to that kind of adversity.

After all, the Habs are the youngest team in the National League. And we know that can come with certain challenges too.

But so far, the Canadiens' young players are answering the call. It remains to be seen whether they'll be able to be even more consistent by the end of the regular schedule… #CrunchTime


Overtime

– Bravo!

– Okay.

– I love him.

– Ark!

– It could be a bumpy ride in Boston.

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