Canadiens Face Perfect Schedule For Improving Lottery Odds

The Montreal Canadiens won a surprising number of games in February.

If you’re among those hoping they end up with improved lottery odds, you could say they won a frustratingly high number of games following their week off.

But even if the team earned more points than expected thanks to impressive performances from their goaltending duo, the numbers are still on the Canadiens’ side when it comes to the remaining schedule.

It has already begun with back-to-back losses to the Kings and the Anaheim Ducks.

Upcoming Games

Montreal is unlikely to drop below the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Ducks, or the San Jose Sharks, but they have a legitimate chance to usurp both the Vancouver Canucks and Arizona Coyotes in the basement of the NHL standings.

The Canadiens have more points than both Vancouver and Arizona, however, as previously mentioned, they possess the most difficult strength of schedule in the league.

In comparison, the Coyotes have a much easier schedule, whereas the Canucks have a cakewalk, with one of the easiest schedules down the stretch.

As an Eastern Conference team, the Canadiens will be facing some of the best clubs in the NHL, teams that have bolstered their lineup during the arms race in the week leading up to the deadline.

Of the 20 remaining games, 13 take place against playoff teams, including matchups against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, not to mention a pair of games against the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

They will face seven teams that are not currently in a playoff position. And the majority of those games will be played against teams that are still vying for a chance to play hockey in the spring.

They’ll only face one team below them in the standings: the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Comparatively, the Canucks will only face seven teams currently in a playoff position, just half the number of games they’ll play against non-playoff teams. They’ll also face seven teams below them in the standings.

The Coyotes have a more difficult schedule, similar to the one the Canadiens will face, however, it must be noted that as a Western Conference team. they will be facing much weaker teams than the Canadiens down the stretch.

Brass Tacks

There are no guarantees in the NHL.

As Canadiens fans know all too well, a goalie can steal a game in which the team had no business competing.

But there’s a certain level of comfort to be had when examining the Canadiens’ competition for a bottom-5 finish in the standings. The Coyotes have an easier schedule, and the Canucks should comfortably pass the Habs by the end of the month, if not sooner.

Strength of schedule ranking courtesy of Tankathon.