Why These Two Home Games Could Make or Break the Canadiens’ Playoff Dream
To the hockey aficionados of Canada, the NHL season turns really electric toward the end of the month in March where every point counts, every game has playoff implications and the Bell Centre in Montreal is one of the loudest arenas in the continent. There are two home matches that are extremely important to the Montreal Canadiens in the last stages of the regular season, March 24 against Carolina Hurricanes and March 26 against Columbus Blue Jackets. As the Habs are well in the Eastern Conference Wild Card, these games are must watch Canadian hockey.
The Playoff Push of the Canadiens: Thing is Falling Apart?
The Montreal Canadiens are ranked as the top Wild Card in the East with a record of 34-18-10 (78 points) in 62 games played, as the number one Wild Card in the Eastern Conference towards the last weeks of the regular season of the 2025-26 NHL. This is an incredible reversal of a franchise that had to spend several years to rebuild, and the city of Montreal is flooded with true playoff fever.
The Atlantic Division is highly competitive among the top and Buffalo Sabres has taken the lead with 84 points but Tampa bay Lightning with 82 are close behind, but the Canadiens have established a good Wild Card position. There are about 20 games left and each outcome is important. The two consecutive matches against Carolina and Columbus might be a moment of the season.
March 24: Canadiens versus Carolina Hurricanes
The Caroline Hurricanes will play the Montreal Canadiens on March 24 at 7.00 PM ET at Centre Bell. This is a battle of the heavy weights: Carolina, the leader of the Met Division with 86 points (40-17-6) and one of the most complete teams of the NHL. A victory in this case would be a huge statement in the case of Montreal, as it is a division leader, and a win on home ice with the playoff position at stake.
The scored points in this hockey game will be closely followed in Canada. The defensive mechanism of Carolina is elite, yet the crowd of the Bell Centre and the momentum of Montreal provide Habs with a legitimate opportunity to win the upset.
March 26: Canadiens vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
On March 26, 2019, two days later at 7:00 PM ET, Montreal Canadiens host the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Centre Bell. Columbus is 32-21-9 (73 points) – only five behind Montreal – as it is a direct battle to the Wild Card. The victory of the Canadiens in this case would be a success in eliminating the playoff chances of Columbus. The defeat would bring the race to a pinch.
These are the games of hockey which make seasons and careers.
Major Competitors to be watched: Montreal Canadiens Favourites.
- Nick Suzuki (C, #14) – Captain and powerhouse of the Montreal offence. The most recent achievement was a goal and two assists Suzuki scored in a 4-3 come-from-behind victory against Kings. Canadiens win all their games because of his leadership and playmaking.
- Juraj Slafkovsky (LW, #20) — The 21-year-old Slovakian powerhouse is getting a breakout season. He scored twice with an assist during the same Kings victory. The combination of the size, speed, and skill makes Slafkovsky one of the most exciting young players in the NHL.
- RW/C Cole Caufield (#22) is among the most dangerous goal-scorers in the NHL of his role. Caufield has a shot that is a constant threat and he improves his game when there is a lot of pressure.
- Sam Montembeault (G, #35) — The mainstay of the Canadiens goaltending. The fact that he can steal games is another major contribution to Montreal being in the Wild Card position.
Betting in the Canadiens: NHL Odds and Picks
These two games in Montreal present some good value to the Canadian sports betters. According to the existing sportsbook lines:
- Canadiens vs. Hurricanes (Mar 24) – Montreal is the underdog with an approximation of +155 to +170 on the moneyline. Carolina is favoured at -185. With home ice and playoff aspiration, the Habs are a good investment.
- Montreal is a very slight -130 -145 favourite at the odds of over -130 vs. Blue Jackets (Mar 26). Columbus is priced at +110 to +120. Look for a close, physical match with Wild Card in it.
- Canadian fans have a chance to watch the game on TSN, RDS, and Sportsnet to get the hockey scores and live updates of both games.
Michael Harris
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