OTTAWA – The Montreal Canadiens have been taking part in a few of their greatest hockey in latest weeks, however they got here up quick with an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
Montreal (39-31-9) didn’t rise to the event and let a major alternative slip by way of its grasp with a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday.
The Canadiens, who maintain the second wild card within the Jap Convention, wanted a regulation win to safe their spot. They’ll have one other likelihood to punch their ticket Saturday night time once they go to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
There was no hiding the staff’s disappointment after the sport, however the group additionally acknowledged the necessity to put the loss behind them shortly.
“I feel we’re a reasonably resilient group,” mentioned defenceman Lane Hutson. “Each time we have now an evening like this we all know we are able to’t dwell on it and we simply gotta be able to go the subsequent night time.”
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The Canadiens entered the sport driving a six-game win streak because of their play of late, however a sluggish begin Friday proved an excessive amount of to beat.
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Montreal has made a behavior of overcoming sluggish begins with spectacular comeback wins — however issues didn’t play out that manner this time.
“We’ve received to dial in our begins and begin on time,” mentioned winger Cole Caufield. “We are able to’t at all times come again on a regular basis. It’s not the panic button, however it’s for positive one thing we have to have a look at ourselves within the mirror and face head-on.”
Head coach Martin St. Louis was at a little bit of a loss for phrases whereas attempting to clarify his staff’s lack of urgency regardless of attempting to land a playoff spot for the primary time since 2021.
Montreal discovered itself trailing by two objectives earlier than the sport was even 5 minutes previous.
St. Louis couldn’t assist however marvel if the staff’s comeback success in earlier video games had dulled its sense of urgency when it mattered most.
“You roll the cube whenever you assume that manner,” he mentioned.
Like his gamers, St. Louis spoke concerning the significance of studying from their errors and searching ahead to the chance that lies forward towards Toronto.
“I really feel they reply,” he mentioned. “These guys have responded all yr. I feel they’re a proud group.”
Three video games stay within the common season and the Columbus Blue Jackets are nonetheless inside attain, trailing the Canadiens by six factors with one sport in hand. The New York Rangers, Detroit Purple Wings and New York Islanders are additionally nonetheless alive.
The Blue Jackets (36-33-9) host the Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon, and the outcome may have enormous implications for the Canadiens.
Whereas Montreal would welcome a little bit assist, the staff has full confidence in its capacity to handle issues by itself.
“We’ve received one other nice alternative (Saturday) towards one other rival,” mentioned defenceman Kaiden Guhle. “I feel we’ll be simply high quality.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 11, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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