Canadiens Clinch Playoffs, Face Tough Tests

0:00Montreal, Canadians locked in their second straight playoff spot Sunday, with eight straight wins to grab that Eastern Conference birth. The bail center was buzzing, but they hit a snag, dropping a three-nothing shut out to the New Jersey Devils, and missing a shot to tie Tampa Bay for. First in the Atlantic Division. A few bright spots kept things looking up. Defensemen, Arbor Shakeage, and Jaden Shrubel are settling in nicely, with Shrubel clicking great alongside Lane Hudson to create chances. Joe Valino stayed pesky on the forecheck, and solid on the penalty kill, making him tough to scratch even when injuries heal. Golly Jacob Fowler stood tall too, facing way tougher shots, and posting a strong goal saved above expected mark under the new coach. Fatigue caught up after six games and nine nights, leaving them flat right after clinching. The top line got torched by Jack Hughes, who owned the ice, and the power play looked lazy, dropping from third in the league to eighth without. Battling hard enough for puck possession. No one player tanked it, just an off-night mentally after hitting their big goal.

1:04Looking ahead, they faced the Florida Panthers Tuesday. Then the game of the year Thursday against Tampa Bay, that could decide the division. Meanwhile, prospect Bryce Pickford helped the medicine-hat Tigers rally past Regina in five games, grabbing a goal and assist in the overtime clincher. Despite nursing an injury, Pickford signed and headed to the LaValle rocket soon, but a D Tigers run as national fifth-seeds might delay that till next season. Onward from Montreal, eyes on that Atlantic crown, stay in form with Canada News today, AI-powered updates.