Montreal Canadiens Face Three Playoff-Clinching Scenarios
The Montreal Canadiens are looking to return to the NHL playoffs for the first time since their Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2021. They failed to qualify for the playoffs since then, which makes three straight seasons without a playoff appearance for Montreal. However, there are three scenarios that can happen today that can secure a playoff spot for Montreal. All three scenarios involve their upcoming game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The race to secure a playoff berth in the NHL often comes down to a series of intricate scenarios, and the Montreal Canadiens currently find themselves in just such a position. The Canadiens' path to the postseason hinges on the outcome of their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the result of a matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Washington Capitals. Washington has already secured a playoff position, but Columbus has not. With multiple pathways available, the Canadiens can still claim their spot among the league's elite.
The most straightforward scenario for the Canadiens is a regulation win over the Maple Leafs. A regulation victory would guarantee them two points and eliminate the possibility of needing help from the outcome of the Blue Jackets-Capitals game. This is the ideal situation for Montreal, as it keeps their playoff fate entirely within their own control. Winning in regulation not only demonstrates their strength and readiness for the playoffs but also avoids the complications of overtime or shootout scenarios that can yield only one point.
If the Canadiens fail to win in regulation but manage to defeat the Maple Leafs in overtime or a shootout, their playoff hopes still remain alive. In this case, they would need the Blue Jackets-Capitals game to end in any way other than a Columbus regulation win. This means either a Columbus loss in any form or a victory that comes in overtime or a shootout would suffice. This scenario introduces an element of dependency on external outcomes, reducing Montreal’s control but not eliminating their chances entirely. The final clinching scenario arises if the Canadiens manage to earn at least one point against the Maple Leafs, either through an overtime or shootout loss, and the Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals in any manner. This path is the most lenient in terms of what Montreal needs to achieve directly, but it relies heavily on Washington defeating Columbus. While this outcome is still plausible, it places much more weight on another team’s performance, which can be a stressful and unpredictable way to approach a playoff push.
