The Montreal Canadiens are back in the playoffs.
Montreal took its place in Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday afternoon after the Detroit Red Wings fell 5-4 to the Minnesota Wild, making the Canadiens the first Canadian NHL team to secure a spot in the postseason.
It marks the second straight appearance since the Canadiens snapped a three-year drought last spring following a full-scale rebuild. They earned last place in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Washington Capitals in five games in the first round.
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This time, they’re not just squeaking.
Montreal (45-21-10) has punched its ticket with six games remaining in the regular season and sits second in the Atlantic Division with 100 points, firmly in the mix for home-ice advantage heading into Sunday night’s matchup with the New Jersey Devils.
The Canadiens – with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson leading a young and talented core – are also riding an eight-game winning streak.
&copies 2026 The Canadian Press
