The Montreal Canadiens secured a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday when the Detroit Red Wings lost 5-4 to the Minnesota Wild. This clinch occurred without the Canadiens playing that day, following their 4-3 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Both the Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres hold 100 points in the Atlantic Division, but the Habs lead on points percentage.
The Canadiens entered Sunday above the Sabres in second place in the Atlantic Division, despite matching 100 points. They have played fewer games and hold a higher points percentage, while the Sabres clinched earlier with 38 regulation wins. The Habs own 32 regulation wins, putting teams like the Philadelphia Flyers out of reach but leaving the Red Wings mathematically alive before their loss. The Wings, with 29 regulation wins and 88 points entering the game, could not overcome the setback, dropping to 40-29-8 with five games remaining. They have not reached the playoffs since 2016 and have struggled lately, posting an 8-13-3 record since tying for first in the Eastern Conference on January 25. In the pivotal game, Detroit erased a 4-1 third-period deficit, with Patrick Kane scoring the tying goal just over five minutes from the end. However, Kane's tripping penalty led to Kirill Kaprizov netting his third goal of the game on the power play, sealing Minnesota's win. The Canadiens faced the Devils again Sunday night at Bell Centre. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins (94 points) and Ottawa Senators (88 points) remain threats to challenge Montreal for top-three seeding in the Atlantic. Their postseason participation is now assured as the regular season winds down.
