Canadiens Atop the East with Fewest Losses

Montreal leads the Atlantic Division with the NHL's third-best record despite having fewer wins than rivals

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:52pm

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The Montreal Canadiens have the fewest regular-season losses in the Eastern Conference, with only 22 defeats so far this year. This has them tied for the division lead with 102 points, though they trail the Sabres and Lightning in the standings due to having fewer wins. The Canadiens are poised to finish in the top three of the Atlantic Division and likely face either Buffalo or Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Canadiens' strong regular-season performance has them in position to host a playoff series, which would be an exciting opportunity for their passionate fan base. However, the tight race atop the Atlantic means the Canadiens will need to continue winning to secure the best possible postseason matchup.

The details

Despite having the fewest losses in the East, the Canadiens are tied for first place in the Atlantic Division with 102 points, trailing the Sabres and Lightning in the standings due to having seven fewer regular-season wins. With the Bruins six points back and only three games left, the Canadiens are likely to finish in the top three of the division. This would set them up to potentially face the Sabres (48% chance) or Lightning (35% chance) in the first round of the playoffs.

  • The Canadiens defeated the Panthers on April 7, 2026.
  • The Canadiens have 102 points with only a few games remaining in the regular season.

The players

Montreal Canadiens

An NHL hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that plays in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Buffalo Sabres

An NHL hockey team based in Buffalo, New York that plays in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Tampa Bay Lightning

An NHL hockey team based in Tampa, Florida that plays in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Boston Bruins

An NHL hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts that plays in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Nick Suzuki

The captain of the Montreal Canadiens who has tied the franchise record for most points in a single season by a Canadiens captain.

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What they’re saying

“With his 96th point of the season, Nick Suzuki now ties Pierre Turgeon for the most points in a single season by a Montreal Canadiens captain.”

— Marco D'Amico

What’s next

The Canadiens will face the Lightning and Blue Jackets at home before finishing the regular season on the road against the Islanders and Flyers. The Sabres and Lightning also have a few games left as the race for the Atlantic Division title comes down to the wire.

The takeaway

The Canadiens have positioned themselves as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season, despite having fewer regular-season wins than some of their division rivals. Their ability to limit losses has them in contention for a division title and home-ice advantage in the playoffs, setting up an exciting conclusion to the regular season.