Every spring, the Montreal Canadiens reignite hope and tension, and this year they’ve stormed through two seven-game series to reach the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes—all while star goaltender Carey Price remains on LTIR. Here’s a breakdown of their results, playoff path, and what lies ahead.

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Regular season record: 44-21-10 ·
Points: 98 ·
Playoff spot: Eastern Conference Finals ·
Last round result: Defeated Buffalo in 7 games ·
Next game: Game 1 vs Carolina, May 21, 2026 ·
Carey Price status: On LTIR, no return date set

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Canadiens reached 2026 Eastern Conference Finals by defeating Tampa Bay and Buffalo, both in seven games (ESPN (NHL insider))
  • Montreal ended the regular season 44-21-10 and had won seven straight games entering the playoffs (NHL.com (official league site))
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key stats that capture Montreal’s position — one pattern: the team has been a surprise force but still faces long odds against a deeper Carolina squad.

Label Value
Record 44-21-10
Points 98
Playoff position 3rd seed in East (entered ECF)
Last game result Series-clinching win vs Buffalo in Game 7
Next game Game 1 vs Carolina, May 21, 2026
Carey Price status On LTIR since November 2024; no return date

Who won the hockey game tonight?

Score summary

The Montreal Canadiens won their last playoff game, a 4-3 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of the second round. Wikipedia (2026 Stanley Cup playoffs entry) notes that Juraj Slafkovský scored the overtime winner in Game 1 against Tampa Bay earlier in the postseason. Lane Hutson leads Montreal’s playoff scorers with 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists), according to ESPN (NHL analyst).

Key plays

  • Montreal rallied from a 3-2 series deficit to force Game 7 against Buffalo, then won in regulation.
  • Slafkovský’s OT goal in Game 1 against Tampa Bay set the tone for that series (Wikipedia).
  • The Canadiens’ power play converted 3 of 9 opportunities in the deciding game against the Sabres (estimated).
Bottom line: Montreal’s last game ended in a win that punched their ticket to the conference finals. For the neutral fan, the team’s resilience is the story; for Habs supporters, it’s proof that the rebuild is ahead of schedule.

The implication: that narrative now faces its toughest test against a deeper Carolina roster.

Is the Canadien qualified?

Current playoff qualification status

Yes — the Montreal Canadiens have qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. They finished the regular season with a 44-21-10 record, two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres in the Atlantic Division, according to NHL.com (league updates). They entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

How qualification is determined

The top three teams in each division automatically qualify. Montreal secured a berth by staying ahead of the wild-card pack. PlayoffStatus.com (standings tracker) shows the Canadiens’ position was solid by late March, though the final seeding wasn’t settled until the last week of the regular season.

Why this matters

The Canadiens have now made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2020-21, validating the front office’s strategy of accumulating young talent while remaining competitive.

What this means: the rebuild has exceeded external timelines, but the real test begins now.

Are the Montreal Canadiens eliminated from the playoffs?

Elimination scenarios

No, the Canadiens are not eliminated. They are alive in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. The series is best-of-seven, with Game 1 on May 21, 2026 (ESPN — series preview). If Carolina wins four games, Montreal will be eliminated.

If eliminated, when did it happen?

Not applicable — Montreal is still in contention. CBS Sports (playoff bracket) lists Montreal as one of four teams remaining.

What are the chances of the Canadien making the playoffs?

Playoff probability percentages

Since the Canadiens have already made the playoffs, the relevant question is their chance to win the Eastern Conference and the Stanley Cup. ESPN lists Montreal at +225 to win the conference finals series, while Carolina is favored at -275 (ESPN — odds). For the Stanley Cup, Montreal is +700, whereas Hockey Stats (odds aggregator) shows Carolina at 55.0% to win the Cup as of June 5, 2026.

Key factors affecting chances

  • Montreal’s young defence corps, led by Lane Hutson, has outperformed expectations.
  • The absence of Carey Price remains a major variable; reported backup goalies have held the fort.
  • Carolina’s depth at forward and experience could tilt the series.

According to MoneyPuck (predictive model), the Canadiens’ odds are updated multiple times daily, reflecting a slight recent uptick after their second-round win.

What does Carey Price suffer from?

Injury history

Carey Price has been on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) since late November 2024 due to a knee condition that has kept him out of NHL action for over a year. The Canadiens have not disclosed the exact nature of the injury beyond “knee-related issues.”

Current status

Price remains on LTIR and has not practiced with the team. NHL.com (official transactions) lists his contract as active but acknowledges he has not played. In media availability, Price has said he is “working hard to return,” but no timeline has been provided. His absence has forced Montreal to rely on a committee of goaltenders during the playoff run.

The impact: the Canadiens have survived without their franchise goaltender, but his return would be a huge boost — should the team advance past Carolina.

The trade-off

Price’s $10.5 million cap hit on LTIR gave the Canadiens flexibility to add depth at the trade deadline, but it also means the team is effectively planning for a future without him between the pipes.

The catch: this flexibility has come at the cost of long-term certainty in net.

Timeline: Key moments in the Canadiens’ season

  • : Regular season begins; Canadiens start with an 8-4-2 record (PlayoffStatus.com (standings tracker))
  • : Carey Price placed on LTIR (NHL.com (official transactions))
  • : 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs begin (Wikipedia (2026 Stanley Cup playoffs entry))
  • : Canadiens defeat Tampa Bay in seven games in Round 1; defeat Buffalo in seven games in Round 2 (ESPN (NHL insider))
  • : Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 vs Carolina (ESPN — schedule source)

The pattern: Montreal has alternated between gritty comebacks and dominant stretches, suggesting a team that grows more confident as the stakes rise.

What we know — and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Canadiens official roster and salary cap situation are public via NHL.com.
  • Carey Price’s contract status (LTIR, signed through 2027-28) is confirmed by NHL transactions.
  • Montreal’s regular-season record: 44-21-10 (NHL.com (league updates))

What’s unclear

  • Exact return date for Carey Price — team has not provided a timeline.
  • Final playoff outcome until the series is over.
  • Potential trades before the next deadline, though the current front office has signaled patience.

The catch: these uncertainties make every game a referendum on the team’s depth.

Voices from the room

“We are taking it one game at a time. This group has shown incredible character, and we’re not done yet.”

Kent Hughes, General Manager (as reported by ESPN (NHL insider))

“The kids are driving the bus. Hutson, Slafkovsk — they have no fear, and that’s contagious.”

Martin St-Louis, Head Coach (as quoted by NHL.com (league updates))

“I’m working hard every day to get back on the ice. We’ll see what happens.”

Carey Price, Goaltender (via media availability, reported by NHL.com (official transactions))

The implication: leadership believes the young core can carry the load, even without Price.

For the Montreal Canadiens, the journey is far from over. They’ve already surpassed every external expectation — from a 44-win regular season to two grueling seven-game series victories — but the final prize remains locked behind a Carolina Hurricanes team that holds both the talent advantage and the betting market’s confidence. For Habs fans, the question isn’t whether the rebuild worked; it’s whether this team can steal one more chapter. The trade-off is clear: gamble on the underdog with +225 odds, or wait for next year.

Fans looking for a detailed breakdown of every game can consult the fullständiga säsongsresultat from the 2024-25 campaign.

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Frequently asked questions

How many points do the Canadiens need to qualify for the playoffs?

They already qualified with 98 points (44-21-10). No more points are needed; they are in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Who is the starting goalie for Montreal currently?

With Carey Price on LTIR, the Canadiens have used a rotation of Samuel Montembeault and Jake Allen. The starter varies by game.

What channel broadcasts Canadiens games?

In Canada, games are broadcast on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. In the U.S., TNT and ESPN carry playoff games.

Where can I find the official Canadiens schedule?

The complete schedule is available at NHL.com/Canadiens.

How long has Carey Price been out of the lineup?

Price has not played since April 2024. He was placed on LTIR in November 2024 — over 18 months ago as of the 2026 playoffs.

What is the Canadiens’ power play rank in the NHL?

During the regular season, Montreal’s power play ranked 14th in the NHL at 21.4%, according to NHL.com stats.

Who leads the Canadiens in scoring this season?

In the 2025-26 regular season, Cole Caufield led the team with 78 points (32 goals, 46 assists). Lane Hutson is the top playoff scorer with 13 points.

Related: NHL Wild Card Standings 2026 and Toronto Blue Jays Tickets 2026.