As the regular season draws to a close, the landscape of Canadian hockey teams is shaping up for an exciting playoff chase. The Montreal Canadiens have secured their place in the post-season, while the Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of clinching their seventh consecutive playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are also in contention, but the Winnipeg Jets face a steeper uphill battle. With four of Canada’s seven NHL teams still in the mix, the final few games promise to be crucial.
Canadiens Clinch Playoff Spot
The Montreal Canadiens celebrated their second consecutive playoff qualification last weekend, solidifying their status in the Atlantic Division. Currently, they are in a tight race for positioning with the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning. As of now, Buffalo leads the division with 106 points, closely followed by Montreal with 104 and Tampa Bay with 102.
With only a few games left, the Sabres hold the edge in the tiebreaker thanks to their 41 regulation victories. The Canadiens and Lightning each have three matchups remaining on their schedules. Montreal, which faced an early exit against the Washington Capitals in last year’s playoffs, could potentially open this year’s post-season against either the Sabres or Lightning, with other possibilities including the Ottawa Senators and the Boston Bruins.
Oilers Poised for Another Playoff Run
The Edmonton Oilers are on the cusp of extending their playoff streak, having reached the post-season for six consecutive years, including back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025. Leading the Pacific Division with 90 points, captain Connor McDavid has described the division race as a “pillow fight” due to its slow pace.
With each of the top teams in the division—Edmonton, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Anaheim Ducks—holding three games remaining, the Oilers appear well-positioned to secure the division title. According to MoneyPuck.com, the Oilers’ chances of qualifying for the playoffs stand at an impressive 99.98 per cent. If they clinch the top spot, they are likely to face the Utah Mammoth in the first round.
Senators Surge Towards Playoff Berth
The Ottawa Senators have turned their season around, winning four of their last five games in regulation, which has significantly boosted their playoff chances to 92.1 per cent. Currently occupying the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 94 points, Ottawa is only two points behind the Boston Bruins for the first wild-card position.
With three games remaining, the Senators are in a strong position, but they will need to maintain their momentum to fend off competition from the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders, who trail by three points. Last season, the Senators made a triumphant return to the playoffs for the first time since their 2017 conference final run, which ended against the Maple Leafs. This year, they could face formidable opponents like the Carolina Hurricanes or potentially the Sabres, Canadiens, or Lightning in the opening round.
Jets Fight for Survival
In contrast, the Winnipeg Jets find themselves in a precarious situation. After struggling early in the season, they have rebounded with a 20-9-7 record in the second half but still sit with only 82 points, three behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card slot in the Western Conference. The Jets, who were last in the overall standings as of January 8, must navigate the last four games while hoping for favourable outcomes from other teams.
Currently, the Nashville Predators have 84 points, and the San Jose Sharks are at 81. With a mere 12.6 per cent chance of making the playoffs according to MoneyPuck.com, the Jets will need not just to win but also rely on other teams’ results to secure an unlikely playoff appearance. Should they manage to qualify, a daunting first-round matchup against the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche awaits.
Why it Matters
The upcoming playoff season offers a thrilling opportunity for Canadian teams to showcase their talent on a national and international stage. The Canadiens, Oilers, and Senators are poised for potential success, which could invigorate hockey fans across the nation and contribute to the sport’s growth in Canada. Meanwhile, the Jets’ struggle highlights the unpredictability of the league and the fierce competition that characterises the NHL, reminding fans of the excitement that comes with each game as the stakes rise.
