Canadiens Clinch Playoffs, Wings Collapse

0:00On April 5th, the Montreal Canadiens just punched their ticket to the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs without even stepping on the ice Sunday. They're riding an 8-game win streak after a 4-3 shootout win over the New Jersey Devil Saturday night, sitting second in the Atlantic. Division with 100 points, just ahead of the Buffalo Sabers on points percentage. That clinch came thanks to the Detroit Red Wings dropping a 5-4 heartbreaker to the Minnesota Wild earlier today. The Wings, who could have tied the halves in points and regulation wins, blew a 4-1-3rd period lead, tied at late on Patrick Kane's goal, but then Kane's tripping penalty let Kirill Kaprizov score the winner on the power play. Fans are buzzing about the Wings' epic slide. They were tied for first in the east on January 25th, with 69 points, but they've gone. 8 wins, 13 losses, and 3 ties since. Missing playoffs since 2016, and now on the outside with 5 games left. Meanwhile, the Bruins with 94 points and the Senators at 88 could still challenge Montreal for a top 3 seed in the Atlantic.

1:05But the halves are locked in, facing the doubles again tonight at 7pm, at Bell Center. With momentum building past last season's first round exit, Montreal's turning heads as legit contenders keep watching this streak unfold. I'm Cory with the story, and you've been listening to NHL News today, AI-powered team coverage.