The Montreal Canadiens are headed to the postseason after clinching the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a thrilling 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night, April 16, 2025, at the Bell Centre.
With this win, the Canadiens secured the second Wild Card position and will now face the Eastern Conference champion Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This marks a significant turnaround for the Habs, who have not made the playoffs since their heartbreaking loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final and have endured three consecutive last-place finishes in the Atlantic Division.
Kaiden Guhle was the star of the night, scoring two crucial goals that helped propel Montreal to victory. Nick Suzuki also contributed with a goal and an assist, while Jake Evans capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal in the final minutes of the game. Goaltender Sam Montembeault was solid in net, stopping 27 of 29 shots to secure the win.
The Canadiens entered the match knowing that they needed at least one point to guarantee their playoff berth. A win or overtime loss would suffice, while a regulation loss would leave their fate in the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who needed to lose or win in overtime against the New York Islanders the following night.
Montreal got off to a strong start when Guhle opened the scoring just 3:50 into the first period. He received a backhand pass from Juraj Slafkovsky, maneuvered into the right circle, and fired a shot past Carolina goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov to give the Canadiens an early lead.
However, the Hurricanes quickly responded, with Taylor Hall tying the game at 1-1 at 9:56 of the first period. Hall collected a pass from Sean Walker and spun around in the right circle before unleashing a snap shot that beat Montembeault.
The back-and-forth action continued, with Suzuki putting the Canadiens back in front at 16:22 of the second period. He was set up by Alexandre Carrier, who found him alone in the left circle. Suzuki made no mistake, firing a shot inside the near post to make it 2-1.
Guhle then extended the lead to 3-1 just over two minutes later, scoring his second goal of the night at 18:48 of the second period. He capitalized on a screened Kochetkov, firing a shot to the blocker side that found the back of the net.
The Hurricanes fought back in the third period, with Tyson Jost narrowing the deficit to 3-2 at 14:10. Jost swept in a loose puck after a deflection from Bradly Nadeau's shot, putting pressure on the Canadiens as the clock wound down.
However, Evans sealed the victory for Montreal with an empty-net goal at 18:05, securing the 4-2 win and ensuring the Canadiens would be playing postseason hockey.
With this victory, the Canadiens officially eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets from playoff contention. Columbus had been vying for the final Wild Card spot, but their hopes were dashed after Montreal's decisive win.
The Canadiens finished the regular season with a record of 40-31-11, accumulating 91 points. Their journey to the playoffs was not without challenges, as they faced a tough road leading up to this moment. Just days before, they had a disappointing shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, which made their playoff scenario precarious.
As the Canadiens prepare for their first-round matchup against the Capitals, excitement is palpable among the fans and players alike. This playoff appearance represents a significant achievement for a team that has faced adversity in recent seasons.
The Canadiens are now looking forward to the challenge ahead as they aim to make a deep run in the playoffs and reclaim their position among the elite teams in the NHL. The upcoming series against Washington will be a test of their resilience and determination, and fans are eager to see how the team will perform on the big stage.
In conclusion, the Montreal Canadiens have not only clinched a playoff spot but have also reignited hope and enthusiasm among their loyal fanbase. With key players stepping up and a solid performance in their final regular-season game, the Habs are ready to embark on their playoff journey, looking to make a mark in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
