Five "Must Lose" Games Remaining On Montreal Canadiens Schedule

March 24 at Seattle

The Seattle Kraken were one of the most surprising teams in the league last season. They made the playoffs in just their second year of existence but will not be heading back to the postseason this year.

Right now, they have 59 points which puts them seven ahead of the Canadiens. However, the Kraken are likely to trade off a few veterans like Jordan Eberle, Alex Wennberg and Justin Schultz which will not help them win more games in the final two months of the season.

When the Canadiens head west in March, they face three tough Canadian teams before heading to Seattle to face the Kraken. If they want to pick in the top four, this is a game they need to allow the other team to grab two points.

March 16 at Calgary

Speaking of that trip out west, there are three tough Canadian teams on that schedule, but the easiest of those three games will be the Calgary Flames. Right now, the Flames are close to a playoff spot, but they are rumored to be one of the busiest teams heading up to the trade deadline.

We could see the Flames plummet after trading Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and maybe even Jacob Markstrom. They won't have a lot left, and will likely not fall as far as the Canadiens in the standings, since they are nine points ahead right now. But if they are in freefall when the Canadiens show up a week after the trade deadline, it would be best long term if the Canadiens come away with zero points in this one.