Canadiens Clinch Playoff Spot with Gritty Win Over Hurricanes, Cap Off Remarkable Season Turnaround

The Montreal Canadiens punched their ticket to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs in dramatic fashion Wednesday night, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 in their regular-season finale. The win not only capped off a rollercoaster campaign for the Canadiens but also secured the final Eastern Conference playoff berth—marking the club's first postseason appearance since their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

Guhle and Suzuki Lead the Charge

Defenseman Kaiden Guhle was the unlikely hero of the night, netting two goals and providing a steady presence on the blue line. His first tally came midway through the first period and was followed by a clutch go-ahead goal early in the third. Captain Nick Suzuki, continuing to show why he’s the heart and soul of the team, recorded his 30th goal of the season late in the second period to break a 2-2 tie and added an assist earlier in the night. Jake Evans sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minutes.

Goaltender Sam Montembeault stood tall in net, making 27 saves on the night. His calm demeanor and clutch stops helped keep Carolina from regaining momentum, especially in the third period when the Hurricanes made a late push.

From Bottom Dwellers to Playoff Contenders

Montreal’s playoff berth is even more impressive considering where they started the season. On December 1, the Canadiens were 8-13-3 and sitting second-to-last in the NHL standings. At that point, the playoffs seemed like a long shot. But head coach Martin St. Louis and his group never gave up. A combination of improved defensive play, timely scoring, and breakout seasons from young stars like Juraj Slafkovsky and Guhle turned the tide.

The Habs closed the regular season with a 40-31-11 record—an incredible turnaround that speaks volumes about the team’s grit, leadership, and potential for the future.

Missed Chances, Redeemed at the Buzzer

Montreal had several opportunities to clinch the postseason earlier in the week, but came up short. They lost in regulation to Ottawa, then dropped two heartbreakers—an overtime loss to Toronto and a shootout loss to Chicago. Those games pushed the playoff race to the very end, and with Columbus still in the hunt, the Canadiens needed at least one point against Carolina to seal the deal.

They got more than that, and they earned every bit of it.

Hurricanes Rest Stars, Canadiens Take Advantage

Carolina, having already locked in a playoff spot, chose to rest several key players. Still, the Hurricanes weren’t going to hand Montreal a free pass. Taylor Hall and Tyson Jost found the back of the net, and goalie Pyotr Kochetkov made 17 saves. But it was clear from the opening faceoff that the Canadiens were the more desperate team—and they played like it.

Carolina now turns its attention to the New Jersey Devils, whom they’ll face in the first round of the playoffs. For Montreal, it’s a date with the Washington Capitals, a matchup that promises to be fast-paced and physical.

Looking Ahead

With the pressure of making the playoffs now behind them, the Canadiens can focus on playing with the same fearless energy that got them here. Their depth is improving, their youth is maturing, and their goaltending has been quietly consistent. While they enter the postseason as underdogs, the same was true in 2021—and we all remember how that turned out.

The Bell Centre is sure to be rocking when the puck drops for Game 3. For the first time in four years, the Montreal faithful have playoff hockey to cheer for—and that alone is a win worth celebrating.