The Montreal Canadiens set out on a road trip with hopes of staying in the playoff race. They have been able to hold down the second wild card spot, but it wasn't because of their successful play. Montreal failed to win each of the first three games, but the teams behind them have been having just as much trouble. It looks like it's a race of some of the most undeserving playoff teams in quite some time, but the good news for the Canadiens is at least one of those groups will have to make it through. Here's the path ahead to make that a reality for the Canadiens.
March 30 @ Florida Panthers - 1 PM ET
The Canadiens finish their road trip with a matinee game against the defending Stanley Cup Champions. The Canadiens had some poor efforts on this trip, including the Thursday night matchup with the lowly Philadelphia Flyers. It won't get any easier when they face the Florida Panthers and a recently healthy newcomer, longtime rival Brad Marchand.
April 1 vs. Florida Panthers - 7 PM ET
It gets worse: the Canadiens have the Panthers on their schedule again in a home-and-home series. The good news is the Canadiens return to the Bell Centre for the game, but no game is easy against the Panthers. Montreal is 2-0 against Florida this season, but it's difficult to see the Panthers not finding a way to win at least one of these two games.
April 3 vs. Boston Bruins - 7 PM ET
A matchup with the Boston Bruins was usually nightmare fuel for the Canadiens, but these aren't the same Big Bad Bruins we've seen for nearly two decades. It was a fire sale for the Bruins at the trade deadline, and they have been icing a largely AHL lineup since March 7. The Bruins are trying to get the best draft lottery odds they can, and it should be a very winnable game for the Canadiens.
April 5 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 7 PM ET
The Canadiens will remember the Philadelphia Flyers' matchup from Thursday night when they host them seven days later. Philadelphia looked like a team with a weight lifted off their shoulders in the first game post-John Tortorella's firing, but the Canadiens hope they'll level out by next Thursday.
April 6 vs. Nashville Predators - 7 PM ET
The Nashville Predators have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season after spending plenty of money as last year's free agency. They had been playing better for a short stretch, but they are another team that is more interested in losing to get a better draft position than winning meaningless games against Montreal.
The front-end of the schedule over the next five games is difficult, but there are some winnable games later in the week. It'll be in the Canadiens' hands if they want to make their first playoff appearance since 2021.