The Montreal Canadiens have 20 games left to play in the 2025-26 season, giving us a great opportunity to look at the team's playoff odds again.
We'll also evaluate the changes in the odds of the various Eastern Conference teams competing with the Habs for a playoff spot.
Updated Montreal Canadiens Playoff Odds
With 78 points in the bank after 62 games, the Canadiens are on solid pace to qualify for the playoffs.
According to Money Puck, his chances are currently 81.8%.
If they maintain this pace, they will finish the year with 103 points, which is significantly more than their results last season.
The Habs finished 2024-25 with 91 points, thus, their pace in 2025-26 represents a 13% increase in points per game.
The standings in the Eastern Conference are relatively opposite.
The Canadiens are just five points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the wild card race, however, it should be noted that they are only six points behind the Buffalo Sabers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division with two games remaining.
As always, the Eastern Conference is offering a very tortuous, chaotic playoff race.
With that in mind, we must remember that it is very difficult to close a gap of five or six points in the standings with only 20 games left on the schedule, especially since there are overtime and shootout points in the games.
Although the points paint a somewhat worrisome picture, the prospects reflect the fact that scoring a half-dozen points with very few games left to play is a tall mountain to climb for any NHL club.
Changes in Eastern Conference playoff odds
Two months ago, Montreal's playoff chances were less than 70%.
Within a month, they increased slightly, but not to the point where anyone would feel comfortable suggesting any signs of relaxation.
With the Olympic break behind us, the Canadiens have not only strengthened their position, but they have increased their chances by more than 12%.
While the Canadiens slowly but surely improved their odds, some teams, such as the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, fell out of the playoff race, paying homage to Thelma and Louise.
On the other side of the coin, the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings significantly improved their chances of qualifying for the 2025-26 playoffs.
remaining montreal canadiens games
Opponents: Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders (x2), Carolina Hurricanes (x2), Columbus Blue Jackets (x2), Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning (x2), New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils (2), Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers.
With 20 games left on the docket, the Habs will face 17 Eastern Conference teams that will certainly have a major impact on their playoff race. They will play organizations in the Atlantic Division on seven occasions, while facing teams currently in a playoff spot nine times.
In other words, while Montreal's playoff prospects are relatively healthy, there are enough games left in the season that there could be quite a swing when we consider that most of their rivals are also competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks
All things considered, the Canadiens have a very high chance of reaching the playoffs, an accomplishment that should be celebrated.
Just four years ago, they were the worst team in the league, and they were given the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Expectations may have risen to unreasonable levels since then, but there's no doubt that the Habs have done a great job in their rebuild.
This is one of the cleanest, most streamlined rebuilds in modern NHL history, as reflected by their strong bid to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
All Montreal Canadiens and NHL playoff odds via Money Puck.
