The Montreal Canadiens are returning to the Bell Centre on Sunday night, riding an eight-game win streak, which included five straight on the road. However, they will also be back on the ice against the New Jersey Devils, knowing they are heading back to the playoffs.
Prior to their game on Sunday, the Minnesota Wild beat the Detroit Red Wings, and that moved the Canadiens' magic number to zero and clinched a spot in the playoffs. However, given the Canadiens' recent play, their expectations should be much higher than just making the playoffs.
The eight-game win streak has moved the Canadiens all the way up to second place in the Atlantic Division with 100 points, the same total as the Buffalo Sabres, but they are slightly ahead due to tiebreakers.
While tied with the Sabres, they are not far behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are only two points ahead of the Canadiens. The Sabres and Lightning are set to play on Monday night, and there is a scenario where all three teams are tied at 102 by the end of that game.
Eastern Conference is also within reach for the Montreal Canadiens
With the way the Canadiens are playing, they look almost unbeatable and have a favorable schedule down the stretch. They have only two games against teams in the playoffs, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them move all the way up to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Right now, that spot belongs to the Carolina Hurricanes, but they are only four points ahead of the Canadiens. That lead could drop to two by the end of Sunday if Carolina loses to the Ottawa Senators and the Canadiens win against the Devils.
Last season, the Montreal Canadiens just barely snuck into the playoffs as the final wild card. They would lose in the first round to the Washington Capitals in five. This season, expectations should be much higher, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Eastern Conference playoffs ran through Montreal.