Habs Clinch Playoffs, Eye Top Seed in Intense Race

0:00It's April 7, I'm Cory with the story. This is NHL News Today, driven by AI and Bill for fans. The Montreal Canadiens just locked in their playoff spot for the second year in a row, clinching its Sunday when the Minnesota Wild beat the Detroit Red Wings. But in this city, making the playoffs ain't the end game, it's barely the warm-up. With the Atlantic Division race heating up, they're chasing that top-sea for home-ice advantage. That clinch came without their own win, though, as they dropped a three-nothing shut-out to the New Jersey Devils. Flat offense exposed some kinks, but the big picture stays bright, from question marks on youth and death to legit Eastern conference threats. Inside the locker room, no popping champagne players know this is step one. Tampa Bay and Buffalo sit at 102 points, Hobbs right there at 100, all with five games left. Every shift counts in this two-point dock fight. These final match-ups keep everyone sharp, no coasting allowed. Young goalies need rhythm. Top lines are clicking, but secondary scoring has to step up for real playoff runs.

1:04Building chemistry now sets the tone. Montreal's proven they belong, so the real test hits with urgency on every play. The postseason grind starts feeling like home already.