Canadiens, Blue jackets vie for Final Eastern Conference ‍Playoff Spot

the Montreal Canadiens and‍ the Columbus Blue Jackets are locked in a tight race for the eighth⁣ and⁤ final playoff berth in the Eastern⁤ Conference.

Montreal currently⁢ controls its ⁤own destiny. A victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday would guarantee the‍ Canadiens a playoff spot. A single point – earned through an overtime or shootout ⁣loss – would also ‍suffice,thanks to a point gained in Monday’s loss to‍ Chicago.

The most precarious scenario for Montreal is a regulation loss. That outcome would leave them with 89 points, vulnerable to being overtaken by Columbus.

Columbus moved within two points of Montreal with a win Tuesday night in Philadelphia, bringing ⁤their total to 87.

To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Blue Jackets need Montreal to lose in regulation. They must also win their final game against the New York Islanders on ⁤Thursday in regulation time.

In the event of a ⁣tie at 89 points, the first tiebreaker is regulation wins, referred to as “VR” on ⁤the ⁣National Hockey League’s website. Both teams currently have‍ 29 regulation wins.

If the teams remain tied in regulation wins, the ⁣next tiebreaker is the combined number of regulation and overtime wins (“VRP” on the NHL website).Montreal holds a meaningful advantage in this category, with 37 compared to Columbus’s ⁤33.

To avoid relying on tiebreakers, the Blue Jackets must secure their 30th regulation win.

Echoes of April ‍2019

The last time Montreal was in a similar position, fighting⁣ for⁢ a playoff spot in the final days of the season, was in April 2019. That‍ year, the ‍Blue jackets ultimately dashed⁢ the Canadiens’ playoff hopes.

Players like Max ⁢Domi, Jonathan ⁢Drouin, Tomas Tatar, ⁤and Carey Price were ‍part of that 2019 team that needed ⁣to accumulate points late⁤ in the season to stay ahead of Columbus.Though,⁤ they did not control‍ their own destiny and needed ⁤the Blue Jackets to falter.

Columbus secured their playoff spot on April 5, during the penultimate game of the season, with a shootout victory over the New york Rangers.

Montreal finished that season with 96 points, while Columbus had 98. No tiebreaker was needed, thanks⁤ to a strong finish by Columbus,‍ who won seven of⁤ their last eight games.

Montreal then played a meaningless final game, during ⁤which Ryan Poehling scored a hat trick in his NHL debut.It was a bittersweet moment in a lost season.

Now, five years later, the Canadiens have the prospect to return the favor and eliminate the Blue Jackets by securing at least ⁤one point on Wednesday.

Canadiens and Blue Jackets: A Tight Race for the Playoffs

Are you a hockey fan wondering about the playoff race in the Eastern Conference? The⁤ Montreal ‍Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets are battling for the eighth and final playoff spot. Let’s break down the situation with these key questions and answers:

What’s at Stake?

Q: Which teams are⁣ vying for the last playoff spot?

A: The Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Q: What playoff spot are thay competing for?

A: The eighth and final playoff berth in⁤ the Eastern Conference.

Montreal’s Path‍ to the Playoffs

Q: What ⁢do the Montreal Canadiens need to do to secure a playoff spot?

A: Montreal currently controls its own destiny. They need either of the following:

⁢ A ⁤victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.

A single point (earned through an overtime or shootout loss). This is thanks⁤ to a point gained in Monday’s loss to Chicago.

Q: What is the worst-case scenario for the Canadiens?

A: A regulation loss. This would leave them with 89 points and vulnerable to being overtaken by⁤ Columbus.

Columbus’s Playoff Hopes

Q: What‍ does Columbus need to happen to make the playoffs?

A: The Blue Jackets need two things to go their⁤ way:

‍ Montreal must⁤ lose in regulation.

Columbus must win their final game‍ against the New York Islanders on Thursday in regulation time.

Q: How close are Montreal and Columbus in terms of points?

A: Columbus moved within two points of montreal with a win Tuesday night in Philadelphia, bringing‍ their total to 87 points.

Tie-Breaker Scenarios

Q: What ⁤happens if the teams tie in points?

A: The tiebreaker⁢ scenarios are as follows:

First Tiebreaker: Regulation ⁤wins⁢ (“VR” on the NHL ⁤website).

Second Tiebreaker: Combined regulation ‍and overtime wins (“VRP” on the NHL website).

Q: What are the current tiebreaker standings between the two teams?

A:

| Tiebreaker Category ‍ |⁤ Montreal canadiens | Columbus Blue Jackets |

| —————————————– | —————– | ——————— |

| Regulation Wins (VR) ⁢ ⁢ | 29⁣ ⁤ | 29 ⁤‍ ⁤ |

| Regulation + Overtime Wins (VRP) | ⁤37 |⁢ 33 |

Q: How can Columbus avoid relying on tiebreakers?

A: The Blue Jackets must secure their⁣ 30th ⁣regulation win.

Echoes of the Past: April 2019

Q: ⁤Has Montreal been in a similar situation before?

A: Yes. In April 2019, the Canadiens were fighting⁤ for a playoff spot in the final days of the season, ⁣where the Blue Jackets ultimately dashed their⁣ playoff hopes.

Q: What happened in 2019?

A:‍ In 2019,the Blue Jackets secured their playoff spot on April 5th,with a shootout victory over the New york Rangers. Montreal finished that season with ‍96 points, while columbus had 98.

Q: What is at stake for Montreal now, five years later?

A: Now, five years later, the Canadiens have the ⁣prospect to return the favor and eliminate the blue Jackets by securing at least ⁤one point on Wednesday.

Q: Who were some key players⁤ on the 2019 Canadiens team?

A: Players like Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin, Tomas ⁣Tatar,⁤ and Carey Price were part of the 2019 team.