Kaiden Guhle's two-goal performance propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a critical 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, clinching the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Canadiens, entering the postseason for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup run, faced immense pressure after struggling to secure their playoff berth over three previous attempts. Despite setbacks against the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Blackhawks, Guhle's timely scoring, alongside contributions from Nick Suzuki, solidified their place. The Canadiens will face the top-seeded Washington Capitals in the playoffs, marking a significant turnaround for the franchise that began a rebuild following a dismal start two seasons ago.

With a recent 4-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Montreal Canadiens have secured the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, gearing up to face the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Capitals, boasting a stellar 51-21-9 record this season, swept their recent matches against Montreal, showcasing a strong competitive edge. Meanwhile, Montreal has been on a hot streak, winning eight of their last eleven games, signaling a potential underdog story in the playoffs.

Nick Suzuki, leading the Canadiens with 89 points, has been instrumental in their recent success. In contrast, the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin has had a remarkable season with 43 goals, despite missing time due to injury. Goaltender Logan Thompson’s status is uncertain, as he has been sidelined with an upper body injury, which could impact Washington’s playoff strategy. As both teams prepare, the stakes are high, and the potential for an exciting series looms large.

Frank Nazar stunned everyone at Bell Centre during the Chicago Blackhawks' 4-3 shootout victory against the Montreal Canadiens, even fooling his teammates and the fans with a seemingly missed shot that lodged in the netting. After an initial disbelief, the referees confirmed Nazar's goal, which eventually became the game-winner after Nick Suzuki failed to score on the Canadiens' third attempt.

Nazar's performance was exceptional throughout the match, contributing both a goal and an assist. His power-play goal was critical in breaking a tie during the second period, showcasing his ability to impact the game significantly. Blackhawks interim coach Anders Sörensen praised Nazar's mature gameplay, emphasizing his crucial role in every goal scored by the team. Nazar expressed satisfaction in playing a meaningful game against a playoff-contending team and highlighted the resilience demonstrated by the Blackhawks in overcoming a 2-0 deficit.

Despite a tough 1-0 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis found positives in the game, highlighting his team's effort as they strive for a playoff spot. The Canadiens now sit at 88 points, five points clear of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who still have three games left. With only two games remaining for Montreal, a single Columbus loss would secure their playoff berth.

The Canadiens, who were outshot 35-15, managed to send 57 shots towards the Maple Leafs' goalie, Anthony Stolarz. Captain Nick Suzuki expressed pride in the team's unexpected playoff pursuit following a rebuild season. NHL rookie Kaiden Guhle noted the importance of experience gained from playing meaningful games, indicating significant development for younger players.