The Habs have just six games remaining in their regular season schedule. The battle for the playoffs is fierce and involving several teams rather than just a couple.
The Canadiens take on the Rangers tonight and once more before the season's end. Needless to say the team that does better in those meetings is going to have a better chance at the post-season.
Both teams are coming in hot, the Rangers with the NHL's hottest goalie are riding a 5 game winning streak. The Habs accomplished their job of beating the non-contending teams and will face a stiffer challenge in the last stretch.
6-0 to finish the year would be ideal, but improbable. A record of 4-2 might be what the Habs need to slide into one of the remaining spots. As long as those victories include the games against the Rangers and Leafs. As always, the extra point can and will continue to haunt the Canadiens who without that rule, would currently be above Carolina in the standings.
If the Habs do lose, the Ottawa and Buffalo games would be the place to do it without giving up too much ground. Although the Habs have challenged against Buffalo in nearly every game this year.
There are simply too many options, too many potential results and outcomes involving too many teams. The season will probably come down to the last game of the year in Toronto. Maybe even the day after as the Islanders will play their final game on the following Sunday.
Bottom line, the playoffs are attainable. If the Canadiens focus and win their important games, the rest will take care of itself. It's for them to earn and prove they belong.
Three teams will be in, and three will miss by a hair. Victory, and bitter bitter defeat.
Either way, this is exciting. This is what hockey's all about. The best time of year for hockey starts tonight and the Bell Centre will be jumping.
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