With only 11 games remaining on the docket, the Montreal Canadiens are in a very good position when it comes to playoff chances.
Before we move on, I would like to address one small annoyance when discussing the process of qualifying for the playoffs. We will often see analysts saying that a team has not yet been 'mathematically eliminated', or something similar. However, it should be noted that mathematics is at the core of every playoff race.
Therefore, we can assume that every elimination is based on mathematics.
Every qualification, every win, every loss and most everything related to the game is like this.
Of course, this is absolutely the right thing to choose, and it fits in perfectly with my annoying habit of reminding everyone that there is no such thing as an 'assistant captain' in the NHL.
This is an alternate captain. They don't bring their captain coffee or pick up his dry cleaning.
With that in mind, let's get to the crux of the matter in Montreal mathematical The race to qualify for the playoffs.
Or, optionalPlayoff race.
Montreal Canadiens Playoff Odds
As it stands, the Canadiens' playoff chances have increased to 93.8%.
They're not a lock, but all things considered, the Habs should qualify for the playoffs in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.
This may seem a bit counterintuitive, as they are only four points ahead of the Ottawa Senators, but it's important to remember that it is very, very difficult to make the final stretch of the year. The game featured three-point games, reducing the importance of the late-season push.
Eastern Conference Playoff Odds (via Money Puck)
Carolina Hurricanes - 100%
Buffalo Sabers - 99.98%
Tampa Bay Lightning 99.91%
Montreal Canadiens 93.8%
Pittsburgh Penguins - 79.4%
Columbus Blue Jackets - 77.9%
Boston Bruins - 72%
Ottawa Senators - 66.5%
New York Islanders – 54.1%
Detroit Red Wings - 39.2%
Philadelphia Flyers - 12.6%
Washington Capitals - 4.1%
New Jersey Devils - 0.5%
Florida Panthers - 0%
Toronto Maple Leafs - 0%
New York Rangers - 0%
Final Montreal Canadiens Regular Season Games
remaining rivals: Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning (x2), New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils (x2), Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers.
Of the 11 games remaining on the docket, the Canadiens will face teams in a playoff spot on only four occasions (Hurricanes, Lightning x2, Blue Jackets, Islanders).
To make matters more interesting, only two of those rivals are playing in the Atlantic Division.
The situation is reflected in Montreal's strength of schedule (SOS), which is not the easiest in the league, but is the least worrisome in the Eastern Conference, as only four teams have an easier SOS.
Eastern Conference strength schedule (via Tankathon)
1 - Boston Bruins (.615)
2 - New York Islanders (.607)
3 - Columbus Blue Jackets (.603)
4 - Ottawa Senators (.598)
5 - Philadelphia Flyers (.596)
6 - Tampa Bay Lightning (.594)
7 - Detroit Red Wings (.584)
8 - New Jersey Devils (.582)
9 - New York Rangers (.581)
10 - Carolina Hurricanes (.579)
11 - Montreal Canadiens (.577)
12 - Buffalo Sabers (.572)
13 - Pittsburgh Penguins (.570)
14 - Florida Panthers (.569)
15 - Washington Capitals (.568)
16 - Toronto Maple Leafs (.563)
