The Montreal Canadiens may have stumbled a bit to close out their road trip, but Monday morning brought a welcome bit of scoreboard help from south of the border. The Ottawa Senators ran into a buzzsaw in the form of the Dallas Stars, dropping a lopsided 6-1 decision - their third loss in four games. And while the Senators are licking their wounds, the Canadiens are quietly tightening their grip on third place in the Atlantic Division.
That’s no small development.
With Ottawa’s loss, Montreal remains the only Canadian team currently occupying a playoff spot. It’s early, sure, but in a division where every point matters and the margins are razor-thin, this kind of breathing room is something you don’t take for granted.
Now, all eyes turn to Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, where the Canadiens will host those very same Senators in a game that suddenly carries a little extra weight. This isn’t just another regular-season matchup - it’s a head-to-head battle with playoff implications already simmering. Montreal has a chance to put some real distance between themselves and an Ottawa team that’s still trying to find its footing.
And while the Senators are struggling to string wins together, they did get a major piece of their lineup back recently. Brady Tkachuk returned from a thumb injury and has already posted four points in five games.
The 26-year-old forward brings physicality, leadership, and a scoring touch that can tilt a game - and a season - if he finds his rhythm. His presence alone makes Ottawa a more dangerous team, even if the results haven’t shown it just yet.
Still, the Canadiens have to like where they stand right now. They’ve weathered a challenging stretch, stayed in the playoff picture, and now get a chance to solidify their spot with a win on home ice against a divisional rival. That’s the kind of opportunity you circle on the calendar.
Tuesday night’s showdown might not decide the season, but it’s the type of game that can set a tone - for both clubs. For Montreal, it’s a chance to keep building momentum. For Ottawa, it’s a chance to stop the bleeding and claw back into the race.
One thing’s for sure: the Bell Centre will be rocking.