Canadiens Preview & Lines: Crucial Game For Playoff Hopes

The Montreal Canadiens (36-30-9) are set to host the Philadelphia Flyers (31-36-9), with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

Even though the Flyers aren’t involved in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Canadiens cannot afford to take them lightly, as they did the last time these two teams met. The Habs started the March 28 game versus the Flyers on the wrong foot, and by the time they woke up, the game was out of reach. If the Canadiens had maintained any semblance of focus for the entire game, they’d be in a much healthier position in regard to their playoff hopes.

That being said, the playoff situation is still relatively healthy from a Canadiens point of view. They have the highest odds to make the playoffs, and their remaining strength of schedule is quite easy compared to their counterparts.

Current Eastern Conference Wild Card Playoff Race

Current Eastern Conference Wild Card Spot Playoff Odds

Montreal Canadiens – 54.2%

New York Rangers – 31.5%

Columbus Blue Jackets – 7.5%

Detroit Red Wings – 4.8%

New York Islanders – 2.9%

Playoff Scoreboard Watch

Two of the teams chasing the Canadiens are in action on Saturday. The Rangers are facing the New Jersey Devils in a matinée, while the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to play the Toronto Maple Leafs at night.

If the Rangers win and the Canadiens lose, Montreal will drop below New York in the Wild Card race, as they have more regulation wins (RW). However, if the Habs win or secure one point in overtime, they’ll maintain their tenuous grip on the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal Canadiens Game Day

As expected, the Canadiens will turn to goaltender Samuel Montembeault once again. With that in mind, there are no lineup changes expected, which means forward Oliver Kapanen will have to wait a little longer before joining the lineup. Some fans won’t like that approach, but there’s very little margin for error at this point in the year, and Kapanen hasn’t been given enough time to practice with the team or absorb the new playbook.

ON TOPIC: Finding A Late-Season Canadiens Role For Oliver Kapanen

For the view from the other side of the rink make sure to visit our sister site, Philly Hockey Now.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Philadelphia Flyers Projected Lineup

Foerster – Cates – Brink

Michkov – Couturier – Konecny

Pelletier – Poehling – Tippett

Deslauriers – Dorwart – Hathaway

Seeler – Sanheim

York – Drysdale

Zamula – Andrae

Ersson

How to Watch the Montreal Canadiens vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, April 5, 2025

Game 76 of the regular season will be aired on Sportsnet East, TVA Sports, and City TV. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.