Montreal Canadiens Clinch 2026 Playoff Berth

The Habs secure a second straight postseason appearance despite low preseason expectations.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:39pm

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The Montreal Canadiens have officially qualified for the 2025-26 NHL playoffs, marking the second consecutive season they've achieved the feat. The Canadiens clinched their playoff spot after the Detroit Red Wings lost to the Minnesota Wild, eliminating Detroit's chances of catching Montreal in the standings.

Why it matters

The Canadiens' return to the playoffs comes just one season after they finished dead last in the league, showcasing an impressive turnaround and one of the cleanest rebuilds in modern NHL history. Their young core, led by players like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky, has exceeded expectations and put the team in position to potentially earn home-ice advantage in the first round.

The details

With eight straight wins to close the season, the Canadiens have secured a playoff spot and are now just two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division. This means they could end up facing the top Wild Card team rather than the surging Buffalo Sabres in the opening round.

  • The Canadiens clinched their playoff berth on April 5, 2026.
  • The Canadiens finished dead last in the 2021-22 season, allowing them to select Juraj Slafkovsky with the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

The players

Cole Caufield

A young forward who is chasing a 50-goal season for the Canadiens.

Nick Suzuki

The Canadiens' top center, who is in a race to reach 100 points this season.

Juraj Slafkovsky

The first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, who has continued to evolve into a power forward for the Canadiens.

Lane Hutson

A rookie defenseman who has made an impressive impact on the Canadiens' blue line.

Martin St-Louis

The Canadiens' head coach, who has trusted his young roster and helped guide the team's impressive turnaround.

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What they’re saying

“Whether it's Cole Caufield's quest for 50 goals, Nick Suzuki's race to 100 points, Juraj Slafkovsky's continued evolution into a power forward, Lane Hutson's impressive blue line production, or the play of the rookie netminders, the Canadiens have epitomized excitement, while putting together one of the cleanest rebuilds in modern NHL history.”

— Marc Dumont, Author

What’s next

If the NHL playoffs began on Sunday, the Canadiens would face the Buffalo Sabres in the first round with home-ice advantage. There's also a possibility they could end up facing the first-place Wild Card team, depending on the final standings.

The takeaway

The Canadiens' return to the playoffs after finishing last in the league just a season ago is a testament to the team's impressive rebuild and the trust placed in their young core. With players like Caufield, Suzuki, and Slafkovsky leading the way, the Canadiens have become one of the most exciting teams in the NHL and are poised to make a deep playoff run.