The Montreal Canadiens secured a crucial victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday night, giving them some much-needed breathing room in the playoff race. Heading into the night, the Canadiens were locked in a points tie with the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings, who were facing off against each other, and held just a one-point lead over the Islanders.
For Montreal, the evening unfolded in their favor. Not only did they clinch the win and two valuable points, but the Bruins-Red Wings clash ended in regulation, allowing the Bruins to grab two points while the Red Wings stayed at 84.
Now, the Canadiens' playoff chances are looking bright. According to MoneyPuck, their odds of making the playoffs have jumped to 82%, with the Bruins at 77%, Red Wings at 59%, and the Islanders slipping to 44%.
If the Canadiens can notch another victory in their next game, those chances could soar to 88%. However, the road ahead is anything but easy. Their upcoming five games feature matchups against playoff-bound teams, including two against the Hurricanes, and one each against the Lightning, Predators, and Blue Jackets.
Before they even hit the ice again, the Canadiens could get a clearer picture of their playoff prospects. The Islanders are set to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night, and another loss for New York would widen the gap for Montreal.
While the Canadiens are in a favorable position to make the playoffs, a tough first-round opponent awaits them. Staying third in the Atlantic Division likely means a showdown with the Tampa Bay Lightning. If they slip into a wild card spot, they could face either the Buffalo Sabres or Carolina Hurricanes.
The Canadiens are just four points behind the Lightning, so snagging home-ice advantage in the first round isn’t off the table. However, the Lightning are on a roll, winning three straight, and Montreal hasn't made much headway in closing that gap.
The victory over the Islanders was a significant stride forward, but the Canadiens are entering a critical stretch that will ultimately decide their playoff destiny.