Canadiens Face Hurricanes Tonight After 4-3 Loss, Need One Point to Clinch Playoff Spot; Blue Jackets Two Points Behind

The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at the Bell Centre, with a chance to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in four years. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Sportsnet and RDS. The Canadiens need to secure at least one point to guarantee their place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This comes after a disappointing 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, which left them in a precarious position. The Columbus Blue Jackets, who are two points behind the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference standings, kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blue Jackets must win their final two games in regulation to have a chance at overtaking the Canadiens for the last wild-card spot. If Montreal loses in regulation against Carolina, Columbus can clinch the playoff spot with a win over the New York Islanders in their final game. The stakes are high as the Canadiens aim to avoid elimination and secure their postseason berth.