Canadiens Miss Third Chance to Clinch as Playoff Picture Tightens
Alright, let’s talk hockey—because things are heating up fast as the NHL regular season winds down. With just days left before the playoffs begin, the Montreal Canadiens had yet another golden opportunity to punch their ticket to the postseason... and they let it slip away. Again.
It was their third try to clinch a playoff berth, this time against the Chicago Blackhawks, a team already eliminated from contention. All Montreal had to do was win. That’s it. Any kind of win would’ve locked them in. But they ended up dropping the game in a shootout, collecting only one point instead of the two they needed to seal the deal. And that single point might just end up being both a cushion and a curse, because the Columbus Blue Jackets—still in the mix—are right on their heels.
The Canadiens are sitting at 39-31-11, still three points up on Columbus, but each team only has one game left now. The math isn’t hard—if Montreal wins their next game, they’re in. If they lose in regulation and Columbus wins, it’s over. That’s how razor-thin the margin is.
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And here’s the kicker: had they clinched, Montreal would’ve drawn the Washington Capitals in the first round, the top team in the Eastern Conference. It’s a tough matchup no matter what, but they would’ve at least entered with some momentum. Now, they’re clinging on, hoping they don’t become the cautionary tale of the 2025 playoffs.
Elsewhere, the standings are starting to firm up. Ottawa has locked up the first wild-card spot and will face the Maple Leafs, setting up what’s sure to be a fiery all-Canadian showdown. Tampa Bay and Florida are once again headed for a Battle of Florida in the opening round, while the Rangers and Flyers have officially been shown the door.
Out West, the Jets have clinched the Presidents' Trophy for best regular-season record and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The Kings and Oilers continue their familiar rivalry, set to clash for the fourth straight postseason—but this time, home-ice advantage is still up in the air.
Back to Montreal though—the pressure is real. They’ve dropped games to Ottawa, Toronto, and now Chicago. Each one was a chance to lock it in. Each one slipped away. The playoffs are supposed to be earned, and right now, Montreal is learning that lesson the hard way.
Now, it all comes down to the final game. Will the Canadiens finally close the door—or will Columbus crash the party? Either way, you can bet hockey fans everywhere will be watching every second.
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