The Montreal Canadiens 13-game process to make the playoffs

Week 2

This is the big week and will have the Montreal Canadiens take on two teams out of the running. That said, one of those two could be something to watch out for.

Philadelphia aren’t too far behind Montreal and Columbus. They sold a little bit at the deadline but shored up their goaltending with adding Cam Talbot from the Edmonton Oilers. Additionally, they’re on a decent streak, so much so that there is only a four-point deficit between themselves and the two teams ahead of them. The Habs need that win to keep the Flyers at bay.

The following two games are back at home against the Islanders again and Buffalo Sabres. We’ve one over the Islanders, and that situation likely doesn’t change when the Habs take them on for the second time in two weeks. They’ll want that win and an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot to rest some of their starts. But until then, the foot will be heavily laid on the gas.

Buffalo, on the other hand, is likely going on the spoiler route for the rest of the season. The Sabres had an excellent start to the season including a ten-game winning streak and slowly let that slip out of their fingers. Their ten-point deficit is way too much to overcome though games against Buffalo usually get intense. Additionally, Jack Eichel has looked pretty angry over the last few weeks, and in his case, that equates to offensive production.

The Habs will travel to Carolina on the second half of the back-to-back. Who knows if Carolina’s position changes between now and then but the Montreal Canadiens need to win that game as the Hurricanes could be where Columbus is now.