The division title race is more realistic than ever

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
The division title race is more realistic than ever
Credit: Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images

The Canadiens won again yesterday. And they did it in regulation time once more.

Six straight wins in regulation time really help a team that was already well on its way to securing a playoff spot. Because even though nothing is guaranteed, it would take a catastrophe for that not to happen.

With eight games left for the Habs, things are looking good right now. We're talking about a ten-point lead over the teams just below the playoff cutoff: the Sens, the Red Wings, and the Flyers. The magic number is 7.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Of course, nothing guarantees the Habs will finish in the top 3 of their division. The Bruins are just two points behind the Canadiens… and even though Montreal has a game in hand, nothing is decided yet.

But if things continue this way, the Montreal club could very well finish atop its division. The Canadiens are four points behind the Sabres with a game in hand.

The Sabres and the Lightning are the most likely potential opponents in the playoffs, but we shouldn't underestimate the possibility of facing the Bruins or even the Hurricanes.

So, obviously, nothing is decided yet. And Martin St-Louis's men will need to keep playing big-time hockey moving forward.

When I say “play tough hockey” for the Canadiens, I'm talking about a game like yesterday's.

In the 4-1 win against the Lightning, the team managed to keep playing relatively tight hockey—despite the absence of Alexandre Carrier. The strong trend of limiting opponents offensively—especially on the road—continues.

Because that's what's been happening for the past few games: the Canadiens are playing playoff-style games on the road. They're playing physically, limiting big scoring chances (even if they don't allow many shots), and finding ways to win.

Jakub Dobes (36 saves on 37 shots yesterday) is the team's #1 goalie, and no one doubts it.

But of course, the goalie's brilliance isn't the only reason behind the Canadiens' victory in Tampa Bay. Several players stood out.

For example?

1. Cole Caufield doesn't just score—he scores when it matters. He has 27 goals this season that have put his team in the lead. The all-time record is 39 in a single season, but the Habs player is right up there.

That's worth noting.

2. Even though CC13 scored his 47th and the 50-goal mark seems almost as inevitable as the Habs' playoff berth, he failed to find the back of the net when he was put in a rare empty-net situation yesterday.

Nick Suzuki showed a bit of selfishness by shooting to secure the win and score.

I imagine some people will say that his eventual addition to the 100-point club won't be legitimate because of that… or does that kind of thinking only apply to the 50-goal race? #APointIsAPoint

All that to say that as a guy who wrote a piece arguing that players shouldn't play for Cole Caufield, I agree with the captain's move: secure the win. That's what matters most.

3. A series against the Lightning would be amazing in April or May. Yesterday's physical play, where the Canadiens players never intended to let themselves be pushed around, was proof of that.

They'll need to stay within the bounds of what's safe, but hey.


overtime

The Canadiens will enjoy a day off today. Starting tomorrow, the Rangers will be their opponents at the legendary Madison Square Garden. It's another arena where Martin St-Louis used to play…

Remember that there are two games left on the current road trip, as the Habs will also be in New Jersey on Saturday. On Sunday night, the Devils will be visiting the Bell Centre.

(Credit: NHL.com)
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