The Habs picked up the first two-goal lead of the series on Sunday night. However, they weren’t able to hold it. The Lightning scored late in the second to cut the deficit to one before Brandon Hagel potted a pair in the third to give Tampa Bay the 3-2 win and tie the series at two apiece.
The Habs had the lead in the third period on Tuesday night in Tampa Bay as they looked to double their series lead. However, some fundamental miscues proved costly as the Lightning tied it, then won in overtime on a J.J. Moser shot to give them the 3-2 victory and tie the series at one apiece.
In the regular season finale of the 2025-26 season, the Habs weren’t able to muster up much in Philadelphia. With a chance to give themselves a shot at home ice advantage in the first round, they failed to capitalize, instead falling 4-2.
After clinching a playoff spot earlier in the day, the Habs couldn’t muster up much on Sunday night against New Jersey in the back half of a home-and-home set. As a result, the Devils were able to pick up the split with a 3-0 victory.
Jakub Dobes stole the show against Carolina back on Tuesday night and did so once again in the rematch on Sunday. A three-goal second period from the Habs was all they needed offensively as they picked up the 3-1 victory.
In their first matchup of the season earlier this month, the Habs pulled off a multi-goal comeback against Anaheim but lost. History repeated itself in this one as they pulled off a two-goal comeback but couldn’t hold the lead, eventually falling 4-3.
The Habs trailed for a good chunk of Friday’s game in Anaheim. While they once again pulled off a multi-goal comeback in the third period, they weren’t able to come away with the win, falling 6-5 in a shootout.
While it’s unlikely that the Habs will be drafting in the top eight in June barring either a late-season collapse or a trade that puts them in that range, we wrap up our midseason rankings series with the top eight selections.
We’re now into the lottery range in our 2026 draft rankings. The Habs certainly aren’t hoping to be picking in this range come June but should some of these players slip down the stretch, they could find themselves in Montreal’s range in June.
If the Habs are able to hold onto a playoff spot, this section is where they’re likely to pick in, barring a long run to the Conference Final. With that in mind, these will be some players to keep an eye on in the coming months.