This time last month, the Canadiens were confronted with a golden opportunity to reach the postseason. With nine games remaining before the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off interruption, they were allowed to fortify their grip on a playoff position.
However, they’ve since lost eight of those nine games, weakening their grasp. Consequently, they know they have likely lost more than just ground in the standings as playoff hopes diminish.
The Canadiens have fallen below 500 with six games remaining until the trade deadline. They are currently six points behind the Lightning, third in the Atlantic Division, and 11 points behind the wild-card spot. We cannot ignore the fact that the teams they are pursuing have games in hand on them, and usually, teams in this same position start to focus on the next season instead of putting energy into a playoff run.
Habs Playoff Chances at the Sportsbook
The Montreal Canadiens have many inquiries to address during the NHL’s two-week hiatus for the Four Nations Face-Off.
The Habs emerged as one of the season’s most compelling narratives when they executed a 20-10-2 streak from November 11 to January 21, which secured them a playoff berth. However, their fortunes have since been on a downward trajectory, and a postseason berth now appears to be a mere fantasy.
However, their sportsbook odds have increased the Canadiens’ playoff odds from +900 to +1600 over the past week.
The Habs still have a slim chance of securing a spot in the playoffs, as they are six points behind the Red Wings with 26 games remaining. However, their recent performance will not inspire much optimism among fans for a reversal.
Stanley Cup Odds are even worse!
Additionally, the Habs are one of the most improbable teams to win the Stanley Cup at the best Canadian betting sites, with Stanley Cup odds of +20,000.
The Habs have maintained this range for most of the season, although their prospects did increase slightly during a period of success in November, December, and early January.
Unfortunately, as of February 2025, the only teams with lengthier odds to make the playoffs than the Canadiens are the Flyers, Penguins, Ducks, Kraken, Sharks, Sabres, and Blackhawks.
H2: The Habs will be required to determine their subsequent actions following the conclusion of the Four Nations Face-Off
Although the 4 Nations Face-Off will commence at Bell Centre in the next 48 hours, the Montreal Canadiens remain a constant presence in the hearts and minds of the locals even though the regular season is suspended until Feb. 22.
Jeff Gorton, president of hockey operations, and Kent Hughes, general manager, will have the opportunity to reflect during the break. The club entered the break with a 2-7-1 record in their previous 10 games and extended their losing streak to three consecutive games with back-to-back losses over the weekend.
The Playoff Race Isn’t Over, But…
With 26 games remaining, the Habs are six points behind the final wild-card spot in the East. They have the opportunity to make a playoff run when the schedule resumes on Feb. 22 against the Ottawa Senators. However, the four teams ahead of them present a significant obstacle.
The Habs are in a position to qualify for the NHL’s championship game; however, they are only a few setbacks from being eliminated from the competition altogether. As a result, they have initiated negotiations with the market to determine the value of certain players.
This is why numerous league executives with playoff contenders focus on the Habs, as Gorton and Hughes possess assets that could potentially assist a team seeking to make a run in the final stages.
Teams are currently evaluating forwards Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and veteran defenseman David Savard. The triumvirate will become unrestricted free agents on July 1, and it is illogical to allow them to depart without compensation in the summer if the club is not in contention.
So, while the playoffs remain possible, difficult decisions must be made, and key players could be lost. With so much to think about during the break, it’s difficult to see the Habs find a way to overcome the battle ahead.
Reality Check
To achieve the 93 points necessary to qualify for the postseason, the Canadiens must win 19 games and lose only seven in the final 26 games. It is impossible for a club that maintains an average of.500 for an entire year to achieve this.
The club’s trading deadline plan before March 7 has been altered due to the decline in just 16 days. NHL general managers are expected to be busy during the Four Nations vacation, as they will use the time to plan for the future.
At present, the Canadiens have three distinct futures. In the near future, they should anticipate a full-scale sale of their unrestricted free agents. Dvorak, Armia, Jake Evans, and David Savard must make decisions.
With only 20-something games remaining, there is no logical justification for retaining these athletes for cultural reasons. The culture cannot be either gained or lost due to the club’s extremely lackluster performance in the season’s final quarter. They are attempting to obtain a higher draft selection by organically becoming weaker. Additionally, additional prospects will have the opportunity to experience the NHL.
A Bright Future for the Habs
The Canadiens may be disheartened by the last week, although they have experienced excellence and now comprehend that the team can achieve sustained success. Last year, they did not excel as the premier squad in the league for a 15-game period; however, this year, they have, thus providing grounds for optimism.
The objective for 2025-26 is to excel as the premier squad in the league for 30 games rather than only 15. A few roster deficiencies must be addressed, and the arrival and development of these talents must be anticipated. Despite the current sentiment, the Canadiens are experiencing a thrilling period.