Losing to Calgary Flames on Saturday at Calgary Flames, undoubtedly hurting the Montreal Canadiens. However, that didn’t kill their playoff hopes. They are still alive…but how long?
It’s an inaccurate science, but the Canadians need about 90 points to make the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. So far, there are 66 games left with 19 games left, and they will not only about The running table occupies berth for the first time since 2021.
“Every game feels like Game 7,” said head coach Martin St. Louis, though an understandable mentality means every game is a must-win. To be honest, they have the ability to lose a game here and there. Admittedly, if you are a member of the organization, it will be the exact wrong mentality, but, thinking rationally, they won’t go 19-0.
They just aren’t. They will lose some here and there (in the best, realistic scenario). Unavoidable.
However, not all games are weighted equally. Depending on the Canadians’ place in the standings and the teams they fight for one of the Eastern Conference memorials, some are all you can get. By contrast, these are five losses that won’t be the end of the world, and it’s understandable even based on a series of external factors:
Vancouver Canucks: On the Road March 11
The Canadians’ next back-to-back game against Vancouver Carnac on Tuesday and Seattle Cleken on Wednesday. In this case, it is usually difficult to earn four quarters in this case, especially on the road, where Habs can drop one without anyone surrendering.
Given that both opponents face two games on both nights, there is no doubt that the Canadians will be tough. However, it is worth noting that they will obviously be even more tired of the second game. So some people might suggest this is a game they might lose. But, some things:
- Canadians have a backup goalkeeper in Jakub Dobes that they can trust.
- The Karnaks are now in the midst of their own playoff game in the Western Conference and play hockey like they do.
- Kraken, on the other hand, has more than 10 points, objectively worse team.
Related: Canadian Dobbs deserves at least 10 starts in 2024-25
It’s hard to beat Canadians in the standings to beat teams lower than them, and they can say they need to win more in that game. It’s double that considering they’ve already lost 8-2 to Kraken in October. A little revenge.
Colorado Avalanche: Home on March 22
The bad rate lost at home on Saturday night is sucking…but generally, losing. It will happen. So if you have to lose, you might as well lose to a better team in the Colorado Avalanche League who were lucky enough to attend the opposite meeting.
There is no shame in giving up this. Considering the quality of the competition, how it will be more than a week since the last expected loss, and the fact that Canadians beat the avalanche in a convincing way in early January, they jumped from their last place in the East (temporarily) during their impressive 16-6-1 run.
In fact, the Canadians beat the last four Stanley Cup titles in that game. There is nothing to prove here. What matters is whether to make the final result of the playoffs. In this way, this is a loss they can afford. As long as the game is relatively tense, everyone should satisfy the bell center.
Carolina Hurricane: On the Road March 28
Canadians won’t beat the Carolina hurricane every time. It was just a cold, hard fact. And, after nine consecutive losses on February 25, they beat them for the first time, deciding the decisive 4-0 closing ceremony at the Bell Center, which is reasonable to conclude that they are unlikely to top again in Raleigh on March 28 (after visiting the Philadelphia Flyers the night before).
Additionally, if the Canadians will beat the Hurricane again, it will be played on April 16, in the final game of the season and the last game of the season (at home). This is one of the must-wins mentioned above, just because the matter logically boils down to wires. It’s hard to believe that Habs can beat the cane again this season. No one should expect them to sweep this series. So they actually dropped one. If so, it must be this.
Florida Black Panther: At Home April 1
It’s the second half of a family and family series, which means Canadians are likely to lose at least one, especially considering the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The two sides also played with each other a few nights before March 30.
While the first one is on the road, the Canadian may be “better” to lose the second time at the Bell Center. It is ideal to see them face the hurricane above immediately, exuding as many failures as possible and avoid losing streaks.
Toronto Maple Leaf: On the Road April 12
The necessary pain that Canadian fans must read, defeated rival Toronto Maple Leafs at the final meeting of the season (Saturday, in front of a national audience, no more). Oh, it would be nice, especially after Habs lost his final game 7-3, they led 3-0. However, the rest of the game is targeting teams currently with them in the Eastern Conference playoff game, or in the standings to drop. If they are going to achieve this, it is the game they have to have.
Worse, Canadians faced maple leaves the night after visiting the Ottawa Senator. This is a must-win match between the two, and the standings are currently being studied. In this case, as strange as it sounds, St. Louis will have to fight against the “weaker” opponent and Dobes’ hypothetical division champion. Of course, if history shows any signs, St. Louis can’t guarantee this route, but that’s the way it should be. Likewise, if history shows any signs, Dobbs Can Win anyway. So, the Montrealian: stick to this hope while losing the leaves (never heard of the end of Leafs fans…until the playoffs).
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