Montreal Canadiens target last NHL playoff berth as Columbus Blue Jackets hold onto slim hopes

The glare in Wednesday's NHL play is firmly on the Eastern Conference, as the Montreal Canadiens might punch their playoff ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets are tottering—on their heels—after a dirty victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday to continue the momentum for them in the playoffs. The drama mounts as 15 out of 16 playoff positions are now filled.


The Montreal Canadiens have the simplest way to be the 16th and last team to qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. A victory in any form—regulation, overtime, or shootout—over the Carolina Hurricanes would clinch the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Even an overtime defeat would do. A regulation defeat, though, opens the door for the Columbus Blue Jackets, whose destiny now depends on Montreal's performance alone.
For the Carolina Hurricanes, already solidified as the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, there might be less incentive to put out a full-strength roster. Yet with playoff tempo at stake, don't count on Carolina to go light. A misstep from Montreal might give Columbus a ray of hope going in on Thursday.

Elsewhere in the league, the Winnipeg Jets, having clinched the Presidents’ Trophy and the top seed throughout the playoffs, host the Anaheim Ducks in what is effectively a draft lottery-related affair for the visitors. Anaheim, currently ninth in the draft order, could improve to seventh depending on other results.

The Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils sit down with very different agendas. Detroit, 12th in the draft order, can potentially jump up to 10th, and they are out of playoff conflict. The Devils, on the other hand, are engaged in a Round 1 showdown with the Carolina Hurricanes and are likely to handle minutes while keeping their edges sharp.

The Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators play a game that will not impact the standings. Dallas will host the Colorado Avalanche in the first-round playoff series as the No. 2 seed in the Central Division. Nashville, already third in the lottery order for the draft, will be more focused on watching their draft future than playoff aspirations.

That late-night slate between the Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers against the San Jose Sharks doesn't have much playoff riding on it. The Golden Knights, who are the top seed in the Pacific Division, will start their postseason against a yet-to-be-known wild-card team. The Oilers will face the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1.
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Though a few games throughout the NHL on Wednesday won't alter the standings, everyone will be watching the Montreal Canadiens. Their game might seal the 2025 NHL playoff picture—or keep the door open for one final turn from the Columbus Blue Jackets. One night, one position, and all to play for.