The team didn’t show up at all and let some big points slip away in the standings.

However, this morning, we woke up to fantastic news.

The Canadiens are extremely lucky, but everything indicates that last night’s loss might not have hurt so much after all in the NHL playoff race.

It’s incredible, but the New York Rangers lost in regulation (to the Los Angeles Kings), the Detroit Red Wings lost in regulation (to the Colorado Avalanche), and, on top of that, the Ottawa Senators also lost in regulation, to the Buffalo Sabres.

Montreal therefore holds its position in the standings and still has games in hand.

Wow.

Playoff race: a dream night for the Montreal Canadiens last night

Considering the Canadiens’ loss, we couldn’t have hoped for a better night for the standings in the East.

“Rangers lose to Kings in regulation.

Red Wings lose to Avalanche in regulation.

Senators lose to Sabres in regulation.

Canadiens, who lost to Blues in regulation, remain in the second wild-card, up a point on Islanders and Rangers (with two games in hand) and down 4 to the Sens.”

– Eric Engels, Sportsnet

Obviously, the ideal scenario would’ve been for the Canadiens to win and widen the gap, but under the circumstances, this really limits the damage.

Here’s the current picture:

Ottawa (in playoffs) – 79 points in 70 games

Montreal (in playoffs) – 75 points in 70 games

Islanders (out of playoffs) – 74 points in 70 games

Rangers (out of playoffs) – 74 points in 72 games

Columbus (out of playoffs) – 73 points in 70 games

Detroit (out of playoffs) – 72 points in 71 games

With Kaiden Guhle’s return to the lineup imminent as well, the hope of making the playoffs is still very real for the Canadiens.

The next challenge? Thursday night, as the Canadiens head to Philadelphia to take on John Tortorella’s Flyers.

They’ll need a big two points!