Habs Daily: Updated Playoff Odds, Fowler’s Decision, Kapanen

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Tuesday.

Montreal Canadiens News

They did it again! Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki combined for a pair of crucial goals, saving the team’s season with just nine seconds left to play in the third period, and then securing an incredible comeback win just 29 seconds into overtime. Of course, they weren’t the only ones who played well on Tuesday, but it’s quite clear that Hutson and Suzuki have a hunger for playoff hockey that is pushing the Canadiens to the next level a little earlier than we expected. [Jacob Fowler Contract: A Potential Wrinkle In The Canadiens Plans]

As a reminder, Hutson’s rookie season isn’t just good, it’s verging on historic.

is that good? pic.twitter.com/fu2Mr6jXNQ

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 2, 2025

With the win, not only did the Habs improve their playoff odds, they’re inching toward the 50 percent mark, which is fairly healthy when you consider the other Eastern Conference teams will be at 30 percent or much lower once the rest of the odds are updated.

Chance for the Habs to get above 50% tonight pic.twitter.com/6Q7dXXfLWd

— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) April 1, 2025

To make matters better for the Habs, the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings all lost. The unfortunate side to Tuesday’s results is that the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Nashville Predators, making them the Canadiens’ biggest threat down the final stretch of the season. The Rangers will also be a factor, but the Habs still have a huge edge when it comes to their strength of schedule (SOS).

For the record, the Habs have the second-easiest SOS (31st), while Detroit, Columbus, and the New York Rangers are in the top five. [Tankathon]

Jacob Fowler’s entry-level contract is still very much in play, but there are whispers that the Canadiens prospect is willing to spend another year in the NCAA with the Boston College Eagles. There’s no doubt Fowler is an excellent goaltender, but there’s very little evidence to suggest rushing a goalie to the pros is a good idea, whereas there are very few, if any examples of goaltenders spending too much time in the minors. The negotiations are still ongoing, but don’t be shocked if the NCAA is once again on the menu for Fowler. [Canadiens Prospects: Discussing Fowler’s Potential Contract]

Speaking of players potentially heading to Montreal, due to Timra IK’s playoff elimination, Oliver Kapanen is now availabe to the Canadiens. Like Fowler, there’s a healthy debate to be had about where his landing spot should be, Montreal or Laval. Personally, I’d venture to guess the Canadiens intend on sending him to the Rocket, just as Kent Hughes suggested during his trade-deadline press conference. [Oliver Kapanen Discussion: Where Should The Habs Send Him?]

This got lost in the excitement following the big win versus the Panthers, but the Laval Rocket maintained their grip on the top spot in the AHL with a 3-2 win over the Manitoba Moose. As a reminder, if Laval is the top team in the North Division by the end of the season, they will receive a bye into the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

There have been a few encouraging signs coming from Laval this season, but few are as impressive as the play of rookie Florian Xhekaj. Many immediately dismissed Xhekaj as a nepo pick at the draft, but he ended up scoring the most goals from a rookie in Laval Rocket franchise history, while spending most of his time on the third and fourth line. Oh, speaking of which, Xhekaj scored his 20th of the year on Tuesday. He also happens to lead the AHL in penalty minutes, with 159. At one point, Xhekaj will end up playing on the same line as Jared Davidson for the Canadiens, and it will be a glorious moment from an entertainment standpoint. [The Laval Rocket Are Building Something Special In The AHL]

Florian Xhekaj nets his 20th of the season. @RocketLaval | #LAVvsMB pic.twitter.com/vnIrdoNj4G

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 2, 2025

National Hockey Now Network

Jacob Fowler isn’t the only top goaltending prospect that may end up back in the NCAA, as Trey Augustine informed the Red Wings he is returning to Michigan State for his junior season. [Detroit Red Wings]

Don’t forget to check out the view from the other side of the rink following Montreal’s exciting 3-2 win over the Panthers. [Florida Panthers]

Fowler’s former Boston College teammate, Ryan Leonard, made his NHL debut on Monday.  [Boston Bruins]