TORONTO – Martin St. Louis was disenchanted with the outcome.
The Canadiens head coach additionally took a variety of positives — and a vital level within the standings — from Saturday’s powerful ask at Scotiabank Area.
Montreal fell 1-0 in extra time to the Toronto Maple Leafs within the second sport of a back-to-back to inch nearer to the Japanese Convention’s second wild-card spot.
The Canadiens (39-31-10) sit on 88 factors, 5 away from the Columbus Blue Jackets (37-33-9), with two video games left on their schedule.
“I’m actually happy with the way in which the blokes performed,” St. Louis stated. “It’s a giant level for our group, and never simply the way in which we acquired the purpose.
“We acquired to battle a bit bit … performed with a variety of coronary heart.”
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Montreal, which misplaced 5-2 to the Senators in Ottawa on Friday, might have secured that playoff berth with a regulation victory towards its Authentic Six rival Saturday, however will now watch Sunday’s matchup between Columbus and the Washington Capitals.
A lack of any form for the Blue Jackets, who’ve three video games left within the common season, would punch the Canadiens’ playoff ticket for the primary time since 2021 — and clinch their first post-season look in a non-pandemic season since 2016-17.
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Montreal’s subsequent alternative to lock issues up by itself phrases will come Monday on the Bell Centre towards the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.
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The Canadiens have been going by a rebuild, however that course of has been fast-tracked in 2024-25 for a gaggle that didn’t get a a lot respect in pre-season predictions.
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“We had a variety of perception coming into the season that we may very well be on this place,” Montreal captain Nick Suzuki stated. “Most individuals actually didn’t see that. It’s good to be on this hunt for the final wild-card spot, and hopefully we are able to safe that.”
The Canadiens have been outshot 35-15 by the Atlantic Division-leading Leafs, however directed 57 pucks in direction of Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz on an evening the place the house aspect registered 20 blocks earlier than Mitch Marner scored within the further interval
Montreal defenceman Mike Matheson stated it’s good to be competing in significant hockey video games down the stretch after a “irritating” couple of years.
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“As a competitor, there’s nothing higher than taking part in for one thing,” he stated. “We got here into this season with a objective. To have the ability to get near it and actually have a shot at it’s thrilling.”
Fellow blueliner Kaiden Guhle stated aside from the prize of creating the post-season, the crop of younger gamers in Montreal’s locker room — himself included — are getting beneficial expertise as a part of this run.
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“I acquired to play a variety of playoff hockey in junior,” stated the 23-year-old. “That’s the place you study so much. Enjoying these huge, significant video games. Enjoying playoff hockey does so much on your improvement.
“To type of see what it takes to win … it’s big for us to be taking part in these video games.”
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HARD KNOCKS
Guhle dropped the gloves with Toronto ahead Max Domi within the second interval after he rocked Bobby McMann alongside the boards and thumped John Tavares with a clear test in fast succession.
Domi was assessed an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct following the spirited tilt at centre ice.
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The Leafs have been pressured to decorate simply 17 skates — one in need of a full roster — due to damage points and wage cap constraints.
Toronto was with out defencemen Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson due to undisclosed illnesses, whereas centre David Kampf (upper-body) was additionally unavailable.
Head coach Craig Berube stated post-game the staff can be calling up blueliner Dakota Mermis from the American Hockey League for Sunday’s street take a look at towards the Carolina Hurricanes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 12, 2025.
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