The current run for the Montreal Canadiens is no secret, as they are 9-2-0 over their last 11 games. However, it's even more impressive that they are 5-0 against teams currently in a playoff spot over that span. The Canadiens' two losses came against non-playoff teams, which is disappointing, considering they could've theoretically won all 11.
Montreal couldn't buy a win against a playoff team before this stretch, but they added another one on Friday night when they defeated the Washington Capitals. The Canadiens entered the third period with a 2-1 lead but allowed former Hab Lars Eller a tying goal early in the frame. The teams remained deadlocked for the remainder of the game, thanks to Jakub Dobes, before Nick Suzuki scored the winner.
The Canadiens must begin beating "inferior" competition to stay in the playoff race. They have given themselves a good chance at getting a playoff spot with all their wins over playoff teams, which leads to more games against the non-playoff teams.
It seems like the schedule makers put most of the Habs' games against those teams at the end of the year. They still have a gauntlet to go through over the next month and a half as they play the Dallas Stars twice, the Tampa Bay Lightning twice, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Minnesota Wild, and the Winnipeg Jets.
The following month and a half will tell us plenty about this team, which is acceptable for the front office. If the Canadiens falter and drop in the standings they'll know in plenty of time to sell at the trade deadline. If they continue to dominate playoff teams and stay in the playoff race, the front office can rest easy knowing their schedule for the remainder of the year.
If the Canadiens are in the playoff picture entering March, they'll play 14 of their final 23 games against teams that aren't currently in a playoff spot. The brass will be happy to let that play out and hope the team can make the postseason. We aren't expecting the Canadiens to go undefeated against playoff teams the rest of the way and claim a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division, but their five-game winning streak against the league's top teams is encouraging.
It's no small feat to defeat the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Washington Capitals in consecutive games. If the Habs were 9-2 against 11 non-playoff teams, then this wouldn't mean so much, but instead, the fanbase and the front office have to wonder if this is a sign of things to come and the signal to the rebuild's end.
Keep in mind that most of this damage has been done without Patrik Laine and David Savard, and then you can really dream about a Cinderella run this season.