MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens are gearing up for their biggest game of the season Wednesday. The Canadiens host the Carolina Hurricanes in their regular-season finale with a chance to clinch a playoff spot on the line. Montreal needs at least one point to secure the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
If the Canadiens lose, they will only qualify for the post-season if the trailing Columbus Blue Jackets fail to win their home matchup Thursday against the New York Islanders in regulation.
The Canadiens have missed opportunities to clinch in their three previous games, losing in regulation to the Ottawa Senators before falling in overtime to the Toronto Maple Leafs and losing in a shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2025.
As the puck drop approaches at 7 p.m. ET at Centre Bell, the stakes couldn't be higher for Montreal. The Canadiens (39-31-11) have gone 0-1-2 in their past three games, each presenting an opportunity to secure their playoff berth. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle acknowledged the pressure, stating, "It’s been what, three games we’ve had a chance to clinch? So, I think we’ve had enough time to get that out of our system. Now we’re just going to be ready to go."
The Canadiens control their own destiny, needing just one point against a Carolina team that has already secured a playoff berth and is resting several key players. Notably absent from the Hurricanes' lineup are Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Jordan Staal, and Jaccob Slavin, as the organization looks to ensure their stars are fresh for the post-season.
The Hurricanes, who recently dropped a 4-1 decision to the Toronto Maple Leafs, come into this matchup with a record of 47-28-5. Despite their recent loss, Carolina has been dominant against Montreal historically, boasting a 17-2-1 record in their last 20 meetings.
However, the current situation presents a unique opportunity for Montreal. With the Hurricanes likely to field a less experienced roster, the Canadiens must capitalize. Coach Martin St-Louis emphasized the importance of focus, stating, "Just because Carolina is not icing its best lineup doesn’t mean the Habs can approach Wednesday’s game without intense focus."
Montreal's projected lineup features key players like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, who will look to lead the charge. Samuel Montembeault is set to start in goal for the Canadiens. Meanwhile, Emil Heineman will return to the lineup for the first time since April 5, 2025, while Oliver Kapanen will miss the game due to injury.
In terms of individual milestones, Brent Burns is just one assist shy of reaching 100 assists as a Carolina Hurricane, while Logan Stankoven will celebrate his 100th career NHL game tonight. The game is not just about the playoffs, but also about personal achievements for these players.
As the Canadiens prepare for the game, they are aware of the implications of a loss. If Montreal fails to earn a point against Carolina, they must rely on the Blue Jackets to lose against the Islanders on Thursday, a scenario they would rather avoid. The Blue Jackets remain a threat, especially after their recent 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Guhle made it clear how important this game is, saying, "It’s do or die for us. We don’t want to have to wait until tomorrow to see the result, so I think we just want to get it done tonight for sure." The Canadiens' playoff hopes hinge on their performance in this critical matchup.
In terms of statistics, the Canadiens' power play has been inconsistent, sitting at 20.3% (21st in the league), while their penalty kill ranks 9th at 80.9%. On the other hand, Carolina's power play is struggling at 18.6% (26th), but they boast the league's best penalty kill at 84.1%. This matchup of power plays could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the game.
The projected starting goalies for the game are Pyotr Kochetkov for the Hurricanes, who holds a record of 27-15-3 with a 0.898 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average, and Samuel Montembeault for the Canadiens, who has a record of 30-24-7 with a 0.901 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average.
As the game unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see if the Canadiens can secure their playoff spot or if they will face a nerve-wracking wait to see if Columbus can falter. With the stakes this high, the atmosphere at Centre Bell is expected to be electric.
The Canadiens have had a tumultuous season, and this game represents a chance to turn the tide and secure a spot in the playoffs. The pressure is on, and the fans are hopeful that their team can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance worthy of the moment.
With the playoffs on the line, the Canadiens are determined to seize this opportunity and secure their place in the post-season. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on Montreal as they look to clinch their playoff berth against the Carolina Hurricanes.
