Here’s how the CH can clinch a spot today

Mathis Therrien
Here’s how the CH can clinch a spot today
Credit: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Even though it wasn't pretty, and the team wasn't particularly proud of its performance last night, the Montreal Canadiens managed to secure their eighth straight win.

The Habs won 4-3 in a shootout against the New Jersey Devils, wrapping up their road trip with ten points out of a possible ten.

This streak allowed the Habs to reach the 100-point mark, a first since the 2016-2017 season.

The Canadiens are therefore in a very strong position to make the playoffs, but it's not yet mathematically official, even though the Habs have overtaken the Buffalo Sabres, who have already qualified.

Why?

Well, because the Habs don't have enough regular-season wins to establish an insurmountable lead over the Detroit Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators.


(Credit: NHL.com)

If Martin St-Louis's team were to lose its last seven games, and the Senators won all their games AND the Red Wings did the same with at least four regular-season wins, the Habs would be eliminated.

We can all agree that this is a VERY unlikely scenario and that the Canadiens' playoff qualification is currently more of a formality than anything else (100% chance on MoneyPuck).

In fact, the Habs' playoff berth could be confirmed as early as today, and here are the various possible scenarios.

  • Red Wings lose to the Wild at 1 p.m.
  • Senators lose to the Hurricanes at 5 p.m.
  • The Habs earn at least one point against the Devils tonight at 7 p.m.

So, depending on the scenarios, the Canadiens could very well be officially qualified for the playoffs before even stepping onto the ice tonight.

That would be a truly amazing scenario, as there would be a great atmosphere at the Bell Centre to celebrate the team's qualification.

Obviously, the Red Wings and Senators won't want to lose, but the fact remains that they're facing teams that also want to win.

The Minnesota Wild are fighting for home-ice advantage against the Dallas Stars, and the Carolina Hurricanes are fighting to hold onto first place in the Eastern Conference.

So it won't be easy for Detroit and Ottawa, both of whom must win to force the Habs to pick up at least one point tonight against the New Jersey Devils.

In short, we're all eager to see that little “X” next to the Canadiens in the standings, and after that, the Habs can focus solely on the race for first place in the Atlantic Division and even in the conference.

With a week and a half left to go, the Habs can't let up if they want to secure the best possible spot in the standings.


In a Nutshell

– A great event!

– What do you think?

– Note.

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