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Toronto – Martin St. Louis is disappointed.
The Canadiens’ head coach also gained a lot of positive enthusiasm from a tough question held at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, a key point in the rankings.
In Game 2, Montreal beat Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0 in overtime, close to the second Universal Card slot for the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens (39-31-10) scored 5 points with 88 points and five-shot Columbus Blue Jackets (37-33-9), with two games left.
“I’m proud of the way these guys play,” St. Louis said. “It’s a big deal for our team, not just the way we get it.
“We have to fight a little bit…a game from the heart.”
Montreal lost 5-2 in Ottawa on Friday, and would have earned a playoff spot on Saturday with its initial six rivals wins, but will now watch Sunday’s showdown between Columbus and the Washington capital.
For the Blue Jacket, which has three games left in the regular season, any game has lost any form, which will be the first playoff ticket to the Canadian since 2021, the first playoffs in the non-pandemic season since 2016-17.
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Montreal’s next chance to lock things on its own will face the Chicago Blackhawks at the Bell Center on Monday.
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Canadians have been doing rebuilds, but in 2024-25, the process did not receive much respect in the pre-season forecast for the fast tracking of the team.
“We have a lot of faith into the season where we can be in this position,” said Montreal captain Nick Suzuki. “Most people really don’t see it.
The Canadiens beat the Atlantic division-leading Leaf 35-15, but one night, before Mitch Marner scored in overtime, placing 57 hockey towards Toronto goalkeeper Anthony Stolarz.
Montreal defensive Mike Matheson said it was a pleasure to play meaningful hockey after several years of “frustrating” games.
“As a competitor, there’s nothing better than playing for something,” he said. “We went into the season with a goal. It’s exciting to be able to get close to it and really play it.”
Blueliner Kaiden Guhle’s fellow Blueliner Kaiden Guhle said that in addition to winning the playoff awards, young players in the Montreal locker room (including himself) have gained valuable experience in the game.
“I had to play a lot of playoff hockey in my junior year,” the 23-year-old said. “That’s where you learn. Playing those big and meaningful games. Playing playoff hockey has done a lot to your development.
“To see what it takes to win… it’s huge for us to play these games.”
Hard knock
In the second phase, Guhle dropped his gloves with Toronto forward Max Domi as he shaking Bobby McMann along the board and hit John Tavares in quick succession with a clean check.
Domi evaluated non-motor behavior for an additional two minutes after a vibrant tilt on the central ice.
man down
Due to injury issues and salary restrictions, Ye Zi was forced to wear only 17-sleek skates (just the full lineup).
Toronto has no defensemen Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson due to undisclosed illness, and neither does center David Kampf (upper body).
Head coach Craig Berube said the team will call Blueliner Dakota Mermis in the American Hockey League for a road test on Sunday for the Carolina Hurricanes.
This report by Canadian media was first released on April 12, 2025.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
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