from Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette,

The Canadiens’ chances of making the playoffs took a major hit Thursday night as Montreal dropped a 2-1 decision to the Washington Capitals, while the Carolina Hurricanes were a 3-1 winner over the New Jersey Devils. The result clinched a post-season berth for the Hurricanes, who are now three points up on Montreal.

Montreal’s only chance of advancing to the playoffs rests with finishing ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets. To do that, the Canadiens must gain at least a point against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their season finale at the Bell Centre Saturday. They then need to hope they earn more points in that Toronto game than the Blue Jackets do in their final two games against the Rangers in New York Friday and Saturday in Ottawa.

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