Excitement is brewing at the Bell Centre as the Montreal Canadiens compete for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Unexpectedly, the team is playing meaningful hockey at this point in the season, showcasing their resilience with recent overtime losses that still earned valuable points. With standout performances from Juraj Slafkovsky, Joshua Roy, and Christian Dvorak, the Canadiens managed to rally after being down 4-1 against the Avalanche, igniting the home crowd.

Under the guidance of GM Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis, the Canadiens have recorded an impressive 8-1-4 record after the Four Nations tournament, marking them as one of the hottest teams in the league. Fans are eager for playoff hockey this spring, and the league thrives with Original Six teams in the postseason. The energy at the Bell Centre, especially during home games, adds to the appeal of NHL playoffs, making Montreal's potential playoff presence vital for the league's image and excitement.

Brock Nelson clinched a nail-biting victory for the Colorado Avalanche, scoring the shootout winner in a thrilling 5-4 contest against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite looking commanding early in the game, Colorado faced a fierce comeback from Montreal, who clawed their way back into the contest with rapid goals from Joshua Roy and Juraj Slafkovsky, followed by an equalizer from Christian Dvorak that sent the Bell Centre into a frenzy.

In addition to Nelson's standout performance with a goal and assist during regulation, Avalanche players Martin Necas, Sam Malinski, and Ryan Lindgren found the back of the net. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves, preserving the victory as Colorado continued their late-season surge. For the Canadiens, Sam Montembeault's 33 saves were pivotal, but the team suffered its second consecutive defeat, even as they extended their point streak to six games. Colorado's roster, bolstered by recent trades, is proving increasingly formidable as the playoffs loom.

The Montreal Canadiens kicked off the NHL season with a narrow 1-0 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. Goalie Samuel Montembeault was instrumental, making 48 saves despite the Canadiens being outshot 48-27.

Former players Chris Nilan and Rick Green discussed the game on the Hockey Inside/Out Show, sharing insights on player performances and potential concerns for the season. They also debated the Canadiens' biggest rival between the Leafs and Bruins, and the impact of recent roster decisions.

The Montreal Canadiens faced a tough pre-season, finishing with a 2-4-0 record and losing their last four games. A significant setback was the injury of Patrik Laine, sidelining him for 2-3 months. The team's power play struggled, going 0-for-30, while their penalty kill allowed seven goals on 19 opportunities.

Head coach Martin St. Louis expressed confidence in the team's five-on-five game as they prepare for the regular season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite the pre-season woes, he believes the team is ahead of last year's performance.

The Montreal Canadiens are gearing up for a new season after a disappointing finish last year. Unlike the struggles of the late 90s, the current roster boasts promising young talent and improved depth, which could lead to better performance.

Key players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are expected to make a significant impact, while the team navigates roster decisions ahead of the upcoming games. The Canadiens are aiming to climb the standings in a tough Atlantic Division.