The Montreal Canadiens are coming off one of their best wins of the season when they scored four goals in the third period to win 7-3 over the New York Islanders. They face an even bigger test on Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Too many times this season, especially as of late, the Canadiens secure a big win, and it looks like they are about to go on a run, but then have a disappointing performance. Two weeks ago, it was a 3-2 road win over the Ottawa Senators, followed by back-to-back losses to the Sharks and Ducks.
The Canadiens made some lineup changes and were able to secure an overtime win against the Boston Bruins in a tough back-and-forth contest. However, mistakes in the third period in the next game against the Detroit Red Wings would cost them the chance for a road win.
It seems the Canadiens once again find themselves in a similar position where they can show they have really turned the corner. They are playing the best team in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday night, and a potential first-round preview if the Canadiens fall into a wild card spot.
However, it goes beyond this game as they have a crucial five-game stretch with each game against teams currently in the playoffs. After the Hurricanes, it is a home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets before a five-game road trip with games against the Hurricanes and Lightning as the first two games of that road trip.
Montreal Canadiens need to keep winning against tougher competition to remain in the playoff picture
The race in the Eastern Conference has tightened up significantly, with seven teams now within three points of each other. The Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins are all tied at 86 points, with the Blue Jackets and Islanders at 85 points each. The Red Wings and Senators are just outside the playoffs, with 84 and 83 points, respectively.
While it is a tight playoff race, the Canadiens do have one advantage over all those teams with at least one game in hand.
The margin of error is so small right now that the Canadiens can't afford to drop too many of these games. While the Hurricanes are one of the best teams in the conference, Montreal did beat them earlier in the season by a final score of 7-5.
Tuesday night is going to be a big test for the Montreal Canadiens and a win against the Hurricanes could be the signal that this team is ready to turn the corner heading into this final stretch of the regular season.