Canadiens Tank Tracker: Race For 5th Best Odds Is On

The Montreal Canadiens had a silver lining in their loss on Tuesday, as are ensured to have, at worst, the seventh-best odds at the NHL Draft Lottery.

It has been a difficult time down the stretch for the Canadiens, having lost four games in a row.

The Canadiens have maintained their spot in NHL standings in 28th place, despite the Arizona Coyotes, their closest pursuers. currently riding an eight-game losing streak.

The good news is that, after last night, the highest they could finish in the standings would be 26th place; good for the seventh-best odds in the NHL Draft Lottery.

But there are still four games to go this season.

Arizona bests the Canadiens in the standings by one point, with the same amount of games played (78); while the Philadelphia Flyers are almost out of reach with 71 points in 77 games.

Race For 5th Best Odds

It seems almost certain that the Canadiens are headed toward a bottom-six or bottom-five finish, and the last four games of the season from both the Coyotes and the Canadiens will be the deciding factor.

It’s a very similar situation, as both clubs were in the race for 32nd place last season, with the Canadiens narrowly edging the Coyotes out in the final few games of the season for top odds in the 2022 NHL Draft Lottery.

The Coyotes get set to face the Seattle Kraken two more times before the end of the season, while also getting easier matchups with the Anaheim Ducks and the Vancouver Canucks.

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens face the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins.

The Canadiens have a notably harder schedule coming up over the next week, meaning it could be a pretty bumpy ride to the finish line for the Habs, but it could all be for the best.

General Manager Kent Hughes has mentioned a desire to have a high pick in this highly coveted draft, and it looks likely that he’ll be getting it; it’s now simply just a matter of position.