Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Believe it or not, people are starting to seriously think about the NHL playoffs for the Montreal Canadiens.
That means people are also starting to think about what the first round of the playoffs could look like for Martin St-Louis’ group, and it is quite a blow when you take a look at the likely matchup.
If the season ended today, the standings would send the Montreal Canadiens against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
That is arguably the toughest scenario imaginable for the Canadiens organization.
The day after a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, reality is hitting hard.
If the season ended today, the playoff bracket would indeed show a first-round matchup between the Canadiens and the Lightning led by Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
In recent history, Tampa Bay has been the Montreal Canadiens’ kryptonite. Andrei Vasilevskiy has dominated Montreal in his career, going 16-3-2 with a 2.08 GAA and a .931 save percentage against the Canadiens.
Vasilevskiy also led Tampa Bay past Montreal in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, capped by a 1-0 shutout in the Cup-clinching Game 5.
Facing that team in the opening round would make the playoff path much more difficult.
At the moment, the Montreal Canadiens are holding onto third place in the Atlantic Division.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are firmly holding second place in that same division, while the Buffalo Sabres sit at the top.
Can the Montreal Canadiens solve the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, if the matchup is confirmed?
The veteran experience of the Tampa Bay Lightning carries a lot of weight.
Understand me clearly, I have full confidence in our Montreal Canadiens team, but let’s just say I would far prefer facing any other team in the first round.
The Montreal Canadiens will play their next game against the Nashville Predators, and a win could improve this scenario.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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