As the regular season winds down, the Montreal Canadiens are entering what feels like a playoff run before the playoffs even begin. With just 13 games remaining, 12 of them coming against Eastern Conference opponents, every point matters more than ever. The standings are tight, the margin for error is razor thin, and for a young Canadiens team trying to prove it belongs, these final weeks will define their season.
Among those remaining matchups, five games in particular stand out as pivotal, not just for Montreal, but for the entire Eastern playoff picture.
Game 1: March 26 vs the Columbus Blue Jackets
It starts immediately with a massive clash against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sitting just one point behind the Canadiens, the Blue Jackets are right there in the mix, even if they’re technically outside Montreal’s conference. Still, in a wild card race, those distinctions don’t matter much; points are points, and taking them away from a direct competitor is just as valuable as earning them.
This is the definition of a four-point game. A win for Montreal creates separation. A loss pulls Columbus ahead. With so little room between teams, this matchup could swing momentum in a big way. The Canadiens have talked all season about treating these games like playoff contests, and this is where that mindset needs to translate into results.
Game 2: March 31 vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Just a few days later, the Canadiens will face one of the Eastern Conference’s heavyweights, the Tampa Bay Lightning. While Tampa has built itself a bit of a cushion in the standings, this game carries major implications beyond just points.
Related: Canadiens Will Be Well Represented in the NCAA Tournament
If the playoffs started today, Montreal and Tampa Bay would meet in the first round. That alone adds an extra layer of intensity. These late-season matchups often serve as previews – and psychological battles – before a potential series. Montreal won’t just be looking to win; they’ll be looking to measure themselves. Can they keep up with a proven contender? Can their structure hold against elite talent? These are questions that will need answers sooner rather than later, and this game is a perfect test.
Game 3: April 11 vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Just when you think things couldn’t get any tighter, the Canadiens will meet Columbus again on April 11. By that point, the standings could look completely different, or exactly the same, which might be even more stressful.
What makes this second meeting so critical is timing. Late-season games against direct competitors often end up being decisive. There’s no time left to recover from mistakes, no buffer to fall back on. If both teams are still neck-and-neck, this could be one of the biggest games of Montreal’s season. It’s not just about winning, it’s about denying a rival the chance to climb past you at the worst possible moment.
Game 4: April 12 vs New York Islanders
The very next night, the Canadiens face another team directly in the fight, the New York Islanders. Currently sitting in the final playoff spot in the East, just one point behind Montreal, the Islanders represent another immediate threat.
Back-to-back games at this stage of the season are always dangerous, especially when both carry playoff implications. Fatigue becomes a factor, depth gets tested, and execution has to remain sharp. This is another textbook four-point game. A regulation win could give Montreal a crucial edge. A loss could see them overtaken. It’s these exact matchups that often determine who gets in and who is left watching.
Game 5: April 14 vs Philadelphia Flyers
The final game of the season could end up being the most dramatic of all. The Philadelphia Flyers may currently sit five points out of a playoff spot, but that gap can close quickly if they catch fire. And if they do, this April 14 matchup could become a do-or-die game for one, or both, teams.
Even if the Flyers remain on the outside looking in, they could still play spoiler. Those are often the most dangerous opponents, teams with nothing to lose and everything to prove. Montreal cannot afford to overlook this game, regardless of where Philadelphia stands. There’s also the possibility that everything comes down to this. One game. One result. A season on the line.
What stands out most about these five games is how interconnected they are. Montreal isn’t just playing hockey; they’re directly shaping the playoff race with every result. Wins create separation. Losses tighten the race even further. The Canadiens have shown this season that they don’t need perfection to win. When they get solid, stable goaltending and continue producing offensively at one of the better rates in the league, they are a tough team to beat. But consistency remains the key.
