Marc Dumont
The Montreal Canadiens have 20 games left to play in the 2025-26 season, giving us a great opportunity to revisit the team’s playoff odds.
We’ll also evaluate the changes in odds from various Eastern Conference teams competing with the Habs for a playoff spot.
Updated Montreal Canadiens Playoff Odds
With 78 points in the bank after 62 games, the Canadiens are on a solid pace to qualify for the playoffs.
Currently, their odds are 81.8%, according to Money Puck.
If they maintain this pace, they’ll finish the year with 103 points, a considerable uptick on their results last season.
The Habs finished 2024-25 with 91 points, thus, their pace in 2025-26 represents a 13% increase in points per game.
The odds offer a relatively stark contrast to the points situation in the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens are just five points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Wild Card race, however, it should be noted they’re also just six points behind the Buffalo Sabres for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, with two games in hand.
As per usual, the Eastern Conference is offering a very sloppy, chaotic playoff race.
With that in mind, we must remember that it’s very difficult to bridge a five or six point gap in the standings with just 20 games left in the schedule, especially since there are overtime and shootout points in play.
While the points paint a somewhat concerning picture, the odds reflect the fact that making up half a dozen points with so few games left to play is a tall mountain to climb for any NHL club.
Change In Eastern Conference Playoff Odds
Two months ago, Montreal’s playoff odds were below 70%.
Within a month, they increased slightly, but not to the point where anyone felt comfortable suggesting any semblance of comfort.
With the Olympic break behind us, not only have the Canadiens solidified their situation, they’ve increased their odds by over 12%.
While the Canadiens slowly yet surely improved their odds, some teams, such as the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, fell out of the playoff race while paying homage to Thelma and Louise.
On the flip side of the coin, the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings significantly improved their chances of qualifying for the 2025–26 playoffs.
Remaining Montreal Canadiens Games
Opponents: Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders (x2), Carolina Hurricanes (x2), Columbus Blue Jackets (x2), Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning (x2), New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils (2), Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers.
With 20 games left on the docket, the Habs will face Eastern Conference teams 17 tunes, which will certainly have a major impact on their race to the playoffs. They will play organizations in the Atlantic Division on seven occasions, while facing teams currently in a playoff spot nine times.
In other words, while Montreal’s playoff odds are relatively healthy, there are enough games remaining in the season to lead to a considerable swing when we consider most of their opponents are also vying for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks
All things considered, the Canadiens are very likely to make the playoffs, a feat that should be celebrated.
Just four years ago, they were the worst team in the league, and were granted the No. 1 pick at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Expectations may have risen to an unreasonable point since then, but there’s absolutely no doubt the Habs have done a great job in their rebuild.
It’s among the cleanest, most streamlined rebuilds in modern NHL history, as reflected by their strong bid to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
All Montreal Canadiens and NHL playoff odds via Money Puck.
