Just beat the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Montreal Canadiens had the Ottawa Senators just where they wanted them on Friday night, trailing Ottawa early.

Unfortunately, the play-from-behind method didn't work out for the Habs, who ended up falling 5-2 at the end of regulation to the Senators, after Samuel Montembeault surrendered four goals, and one went into the empty net.

It was a forgettable night, especially when you consider that Ottawa screwed us out of clinching last night, but having a quick turnaround against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night is all the reason you need to forget about the Senators and quickly shift focus to the Leafs.

Again - with a win the CH can clinch their first playoff berth since 2021, and show Habs management that they are serious, and ready to compete hard in the playoffs. A deep run, while unlikely, is precisely what the boys in the dressing are hoping for.

My one lineup change would be sitting one of David Savard or Mike Matheson for Arber Xhekaj, he loves to play the Leafs, and as a Hamilton, ON kid, Arber needs nothing to get him fired up for the Leafs. Unfortunately, Martin St. Louis has not called on No. 72 much recently, which is rather head-scratching.

Anyway, the CH are looking to clinch and simultaneously put the 5-2 loss on Friday night behind them quickly. I expect that No. 75 Jakub Dobes will be between the pipes.

And while it has been hush-hush, perhaps a certain Ivan Demidov will make his debut.

We will have to wait and see, but this is going to be a great game, against a playoff bound Leafs team, meaning a win would send a big message. The Canadiens won't be pushed around, and that underdog label, suits them just fine.

But first, the Habs have some business to take care of.

Unfortunately it will be without Demidov's services, though he will meet the team today, and watch from the pressbox, while they try to book their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Habs-Leafs Impressions

Jakub Dobes gets the call between the pipes.

Cole Caufield had a nice chance early, but nothing came of it, he fired it wide.

Just after the 14-minute mark, the Habs are headed to the man advantage.

The Leafs faithful powered the team through a strong penalty kill. 

0-0 with 11 minutes on the clock.

Montreal mustered two shots through 19 minutes - and Toronto has nine. 

It hasn’t been a noteworthy period.

0-0 after 20.

Second Period

Max Domi and Kaiden Guhle drop the mitts. It was a spirited scrap. 

Toronto to the pp

Dobes keeps the puck out, and the pk comes up huge.

0-0 after forty.

Third Period

Shots are 21-7 Montreal

Montreal is making a push to get a win any way they can, unfortunately, Michael Pezzeta (Toronto, Ontario native) sends the Leafs to the power-play for holding the stick. 

This is a playoff clinching game, so it’s a biggie. Win and in, Habs need one goal right now.

16:00 is on the clock, and 59 seconds on the clock. John Tavares is off to the box for interference, & and Josh Anderson for roughing. 

33 seconds remain on the Habs pk. 

Puck is out, and Toronto’s 5 on 3 comes to an end. The the five on four.

Montreal’s penalty kill has been clutch. 

Dobes is everywhere, the guy has been ridiculously good at the precisely the right time. 

But the goal support needs Ivan Demidov in a big way. 

He is watching from the Air Canada Center pressbox with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes. No. 93 will be here very soon. 

But Montreal needs a big goal, and with the game winding down, one sooner and then an empty netter for the CH would do just fine.

11 minutes remain on the clock.

26-8 is the shot differential, and Dobes is shining bright at the right time. Monday night’s game has to be his.

Montreal has the two points within grasp and the Columbus Blue Jackets who won 7-0 tonight against the Washington Capitals, have pulled themselves into the mix.

A win is crucial here, and then we get to see Demidov get started on his NHL career on-ice. 

This is a franchise altering game, if the Habs can pull out a win. 

Montreal’s defensive game has been very smothering, and the Leafs forecheck has been closed down. 

The penalty kill has matched it.

Now the goals are needed in a big way. Shots shots shots, and not the whiskey ones.

0-0 after 60, and the shots are 34-15 Toronto.

Overtime awaits.

OT with the playoff berth hanging in the balance

Montreal’s first three players on the ice for overtime are Jake Evans, Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle.

Toronto strikes early, after Suzuki had a wonderful chance to score, Martin St. Louis kept Lane Hutson on the bench, and it did not work at all. It was an awful decision, and it bit the Habs.

Montreal now has 88 points, and the Blue Jackets have 85 after their big win today against the Washington Capitals.

Dobes deserved a better fate, but that didn't happen, Mitch Marner sunk the Habs on their