Well, the time is here. Playoff time. The best time of year.
Now it is official. Make all the predicitions you want, bet all the money. It’s Habs vs. Sens, Ottawa vs. Montreal, Ontario vs. Quebec. You get it.
The Sens won 4-2 over the Boston Bruins tonight in the final game of the regular season to finish in 7th place in the Eastern conference and 56 points. The Bruins loss gives them 62 points, one point shy of the 63 points the Canadiens picked up in the shortened 48-game season. They would have needed a win in regulation or overtime/shootout to pass the Habs for the division lead but fell just short.
A little over a year ago, the Habs finished dead last in the Eastern conference. Literally nobody predicted that they would make the playoffs the following year, let alone win the division. While winning the division is an accomplishment, getting out of the first round will be a much bigger accomplishment. The Senators were told they would not start before Wednesday because of this extra game tonight. It is likely Game 1 and 2 will be on Thursday and Friday night in Montreal and Sunday and Tuesday night in Ottawa. The official schedule has not been released yet so this is just pure speculation at this point.
UPDATED: The schedule has just been officially announced.
Game 1: In Montreal on Thursday, May 2nd at the Bell Centre
Game 2: In Montreal on Friday, May 3rd at the Bell Centre
Game 3: In Ottawa on Sunday, May 5th at Scotiabank Place
Game 4: In Ottawa on Tuesday, May 7th at Scotiabank Place
Game 5: In Montreal on Thursday, May 9th at the Bell Centre
Game 6: In Ottawa on Saturday, May 11th at Scotiabank Place
Game 7: In Montreal on Sunday, May 12th at the Bell Centre
