After a tough end to their western road trip in Seattle, the Montreal Canadiens returned home and faced a challenging matchup against the division-leading Florida Panthers. The few days of rest seemed to pay off, as the Canadiens put together a strong 60-minute performance, defeating the Panthers 3-1. This victory moved them one point closer to the final wild card spot in the standings, now sitting just behind the New York Rangers, with a game in hand.
Regardless of what happens for the rest of the season, the Canadiens have exceeded expectations. Their win against the Panthers demonstrated that they are a more capable team than many have given them credit for. While it wasn’t a dominant performance, the Canadiens outplayed the top team in their division in several key statistical areas. Although they were outshot, they created more scoring chances and had a 63.13% share of expected goals at five-on-five, highlighting their solid play in a critical area that has been a work in progress throughout the season.
The Canadiens also showed impressive defensive play, a positive step forward for a team that has struggled in this aspect of the game. They defended their lead effectively, staying aggressive in the third period, a change from their more passive approach in recent games when holding a lead. It was a welcome sight, and ideally, this performance will set the standard for how the team should close out games moving forward.
One major issue the Canadiens face is consistency. Their performance against the Panthers was a stark contrast to their game against Seattle just a few days prior, where they struggled significantly. While rest seems to be a key factor in their success, the remaining stretch of the season won’t offer much of it, and many players are already starting to feel fatigued. The challenge for the team will be maintaining the level of structure they demonstrated against Florida, even as they get tired and head into the final games before the playoffs.
Should the Canadiens manage to make the playoffs, they’re not expected to be a major threat, but the experience of competing in the postseason would be invaluable for their development. It would allow them to learn about their strengths and weaknesses, giving them a clearer understanding of what needs to be improved in the future. This experience could be more beneficial than simply having a higher draft pick in June.
Even if they don’t make the playoffs, these meaningful games in late March and April will still serve as valuable opportunities for growth and development, and could have a lasting impact on the team’s future.