<p>At long last, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/line-combinations">Montreal Canadiens</a> have clinched their spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.</p>



<p>Securing two points in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations">Carolina Hurricanes</a>, the Canadiens improved to 40-31-11 and 91 points on the season to lock up the second wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference and set up a first-round matchup against the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations">Washington Capitals</a>. The feat also sees the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/columbus-blue-jackets/line-combinations">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> as the final team eliminated from playoff contention.</p>



<p>Leading the way for Montreal in 2024-25 was captain Nick Suzuki who through 82 appearances put up 89 points counting 30 goals and 59 assists, making him the first Canadiens skater to reach the 80-point plateau since former forward Alexei Kovalev did so during the 2007-08 campaign.</p>



<p>Beyond Suzuki, the Canadiens also witnessed a strong offensive contribution from fifth-year forward Cole Caufield  who notched career highs with 37 goals and 70 points. Originally chosen 19th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Caufield has since totaled 118 goals and 101 assists for 219 points through 287 career contests.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="173"></div>



<p>On the backend, garnering no shortages of headlines was sensational rookie rearguard Lane Hutson, who with his 60th assist of the season Wednesday matched Larry Murphy’s NHL record for the most helpers by a first-year defenseman. In all, in 82 outings this season, Hutson registered six goals and 60 assists for 66 points, two ahead of Chris Chelios for the franchise’s all-time mark by defensemen and just six shy of both Kjell Dahlin and Mats Naslund for top spot in Canadiens’ history.</p>



<p>The Canadiens now ready to take on the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals. The two sides met three times during the regular season, with the Capitals coming away with a pair of victories.</p>



<p>The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs will see the Canadiens return to the postseason for the first time in four years.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="133"></div>
