As the NHL playoffs get closer, all eyes are on the Montreal Canadiens. They are fighting for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But the big question remains—what kind of team will we see if they make it?
Will they be strong and competitive, or will they struggle and exit early in the first round?
The Canadiens’ Ups and Downs
Head coach Martin St-Louis has brought much-needed structure and discipline to the team. In early March, he said that games would become tighter and the team needed to play smart, take chances when they come, and stay sharp. But since the third week of March, the Canadiens have shown two very different sides.
They went on a six-game winning streak where they played tight defence and scored enough to win. During that stretch, they allowed only two goals or fewer in every game and outscored opponents 20-9.
But just before that winning run, they had lost five straight games. In those matches, they gave up four or more goals each time and were outscored 25-13. That shows how unpredictable they’ve been—strong one week, shaky the next.
What Happens If They Face Washington?
If the Canadiens hold on to the second wild-card spot, they will face the powerful Washington Capitals. This matchup could be tough. Washington has the top-scoring offense in the league, with an average of 3.58 goals per game.
Earlier this season, the Canadiens lost two games to Washington by a combined score of 10-5. Although they managed to win one game 3-2 in overtime, it’s clear Washington has the upper hand.
For Montreal to stand a chance, they’ll need to play tight defence and avoid high-scoring games.
Facing Toronto Could Be Another Tough Battle
If the Canadiens move up and play the Toronto Maple Leafs instead, the challenge won’t be any easier. They won their first meeting this season 1-0, but lost the next two badly—Toronto outscored them 11-4 across those games.
There’s still one more regular season game left between these two teams, which could give the Canadiens a chance to prove they can compete. However, the numbers are not in their favour. The Leafs score more goals (3.26 vs 3.00), allow fewer goals (2.88 vs 3.21), and have a stronger power play (26% success vs 20.6%).
So, even if Montreal faces Toronto, they’ll likely enter the series as underdogs.
Can the Canadiens Pull Off a Surprise?
No matter who they face—Washington or Toronto—the Canadiens won’t be the favourites. But sometimes, being the underdog works in a team’s favour. With less pressure and more hunger, they might just surprise everyone.
They’ve shown they can win low-scoring games when they stay focused. The real question is: Can they keep that form going through a full playoff series?
If they play like they did during their recent win streak, they might have a shot. But if the earlier version of the team shows up, the road could be short and painful.
In the end, fans will be hoping the best version of the Habs shows up—sharp, united, and ready to fight.
The Montreal Canadiens are a team full of surprises. Their recent form has shown both highs and lows, making it hard to predict what they’ll do in the playoffs. If they stick to a disciplined game plan, avoid mistakes, and take their chances, they could challenge even the strongest teams.
But the stats and past games suggest they will face serious challenges against either the Washington Capitals or Toronto Maple Leafs. Still, hockey is a game of chances—and maybe, just maybe, the Canadiens are ready to make their own bit of playoff history.
