The Montreal Canadiens are inching closer to meaningful hockey in April, and with the Eastern Conference race as tight as it is, playoff matchups are becoming a real conversation. While simply making the postseason for the second straight season would be a major step forward for this young group, not all matchups are created equal. If the Canadiens want to maximize their chances of pulling off an upset, or even going on a deeper run, there are definitely opponents that suit them better than others. Here are three of the most favourable playoff matchups for Montreal.
Carolina Hurricanes
This one might seem surprising at first glance given the Carolina Hurricanes’ reputation as a structured, high-pressure team, but the Canadiens have quietly had their number this season. Montreal swept the three-game season series against the Hurricanes, consistently finding ways to break through their aggressive forecheck and capitalize on their offensive chances.
For a team like the Canadiens, confidence matters, and there’s no doubt they would enter a series against Carolina believing they can win. The Hurricanes thrive on puck possession and shot volume, but they don’t always have the elite finishing talent to put games out of reach. That plays directly into Montreal’s strengths. The Habs have shown all season that when their goaltending is even average, they win games. Against a team that generates a lot of shots but not always high-end scoring chances, that formula becomes very realistic.
There’s also the stylistic element. Montreal’s speed through the neutral zone and ability to transition quickly can exploit Carolina’s aggressive system. Players like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovský have all had success attacking off the rush, and that’s an area where the Hurricanes can occasionally be vulnerable.
The only catch? For this matchup to happen, the Canadiens would likely need to fall into a wild card spot and face Carolina as a division winner. Not ideal in terms of standings, but potentially ideal in terms of opponent.
Buffalo Sabres
If the Buffalo Sabres keep going, they would immediately become one of the most intriguing, and favourable, matchups for Montreal. The biggest factor here is simple: experience.
Buffalo has not been in the playoffs in a very long time, and that lack of postseason experience matters. The intensity, structure, and physicality of playoff hockey are a completely different environment, and young teams often need time to adjust. While the Canadiens are also a young group, they have players who have at least been around meaningful games recently, and more importantly, they’ve been playing playoff-style hockey for months now due to the tight race in the Atlantic.
That said, this would not be an easy series. The Sabres are a big, physical team that can make life difficult along the boards and in front of the net. They also have offensive talent that can take over games if left unchecked. But their defensive structure and consistency have been question marks, and those are areas Montreal can exploit.
Related: The Slafkovsky Dilemma in Canadiens’ Top Six
The Canadiens’ depth could make a difference here. Even if the top line continues to produce, Montreal would need contributions from their secondary scoring, something that has been inconsistent lately. Against Buffalo, there’s a better chance those secondary lines find space and opportunities compared to facing a more defensively sound team.
Boston Bruins
This matchup is less likely from a standings perspective, but if it were to happen, it could be one of the most favourable scenarios for the Canadiens. The Boston Bruins are still a competitive team, but they are not the offensive powerhouse they once were. They rely more on structure, defensive responsibility, and opportunistic scoring rather than overwhelming teams with firepower. That’s important because Montreal has shown it can handle teams that don’t generate a ton of high-danger offence.
Compared to a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning, who can score in waves and punish every mistake, the Bruins are a more manageable opponent for a young Canadiens roster. Boston will make you work, but they won’t necessarily run away with games offensively. That keeps games closer, and the Canadiens have proven they can thrive in tight, competitive matchups.
There’s also the emotional and rivalry factor. A Canadiens-Bruins playoff series would instantly bring a different level of intensity, and that can sometimes level the playing field. Younger teams often rise to the occasion in those environments, and Montreal’s core has shown resilience all season long. Ultimately, while Boston would still be a tough opponent, they present fewer matchup nightmares than some of the other Eastern Conference contenders.
At the end of the day, the Canadiens won’t get to choose their opponent, but if they did, Carolina, Buffalo, and Boston would likely be at the top of the list. Each matchup offers a different path to success, whether it’s exploiting a favourable season series, taking advantage of inexperience, or facing a team with limited offensive firepower.
