As the NHL regular season approaches its finale, four of Canada’s seven teams are in contention for the coveted Stanley Cup playoffs. The Montreal Canadiens have secured their playoff berth, while the Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of extending their postseason streak. The Ottawa Senators are also in a strong position, but the Winnipeg Jets face a steeper climb. Unfortunately for fans of the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs, their teams seem destined to miss out this year.
Canadiens Secure Postseason Spot
The Montreal Canadiens clinched their place in the playoffs for the second consecutive year, achieving this milestone last weekend. As they jockey for positioning in the Atlantic Division, they currently sit closely behind the Buffalo Sabres, who lead with 106 points. The Canadiens trail just two points behind at 104, followed by the Tampa Bay Lightning with 102 points.
Buffalo holds the crucial tiebreaker with 41 regulation wins and has two games remaining in the regular season. Meanwhile, Montreal and Tampa Bay each have three games left to play. Having been eliminated in the first round by the Washington Capitals last year, the Canadiens could potentially face Buffalo or Tampa Bay once again, along with other formidable opponents like the Ottawa Senators and the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the playoffs.
Oilers Poised for Another Deep Run
The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of qualifying for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, a run that includes back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup finals against the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025. Currently leading the Pacific Division with 90 points, captain Connor McDavid recently described the divisional race as a “pillow fight,” given its slow pace.
With three games left in their schedule, the Oilers have a narrow lead over the Vegas Golden Knights and the Anaheim Ducks. Thanks to 31 regulation victories, they currently hold the tiebreaker, and MoneyPuck.com has given them a staggering 99.98% chance of making the playoffs. Should they clinch the division title, a first-round matchup against the Utah Mammoth is likely.
Senators Surge into Playoff Contention
The Ottawa Senators have been on a roll, winning four of their last five matches and pushing their playoff chances to an impressive 92.1%. Occupying the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 94 points, the Senators have three games yet to play. They trail the Boston Bruins by just two points for the first wild-card position, while the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders sit three points behind them.
After returning to the playoffs last season for the first time since their run to the conference final in 2017, the Senators could be primed for another postseason clash, potentially facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, along with the Canadiens, Sabres, and Lightning as possible opponents.
Jets Face Uphill Battle
The Winnipeg Jets find themselves in a precarious position after a rocky start to the season. Sitting at the bottom of the standings in early January with a record of 15-22-5, they have managed to turn things around with a solid 20-9-7 record in the second half of the season. However, they still have significant ground to cover, currently holding 82 points and trailing the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card slot by three points.
With four games remaining, the Jets need a series of favourable outcomes to secure a playoff spot. MoneyPuck.com has estimated their chances at a mere 12.6%, a stark contrast to last season when they finished as the Presidents’ Trophy winners with an impressive 116 points. Should they find a way into the playoffs, a daunting first-round matchup against the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche awaits.
Why it Matters
The battle for playoff positions among Canadian teams adds an exciting layer to the NHL’s concluding weeks. With the Canadiens and Oilers looking to build on their recent successes, and the Senators hoping for another shot at the cup, the stakes are high. Meanwhile, the Jets’ struggle to reclaim their former glory illustrates the unpredictability of the league. As fans rally behind their teams, the outcomes of these final games will not only determine playoff fates but could also shape the narrative of the entire season in Canada’s hockey landscape.
