The Montreal Canadiens are idle tonight but they can still clinch a spot in the post-season from their couches if the Capitals can defeat the visiting Atlanta Thrashers. All Habs fans will have their eyes glued to the scoreboard and be hoping for some heroics from Alexander Ovechkin and his buddies.

Should the Thrashers get another 2 points the pressure will mount on the Habs who welcome the league’s hottest team in the NHL on Tuesday. The Devils have won 10 straight games and they don’t appear to be slowing down. 2 weeks ago still questionable to be in the Playoffs, the Devils are only 1 point shy of the Atlantic lead and 3rd place! As far as early playoff predictions go, the Devils are one of the team’s to watch. If the Canadiens can get a win and end the Devils win streak right before the playoffs, that would say a lot about the Habs and it would be the best way to ‘get through’ as opposed to losing and limping in.

The chances are still very much in the Canadiens favor. Win or lose, just getting there is obviously the important part.

The shuffle at the top is not finished either as Ottawa and Carolina duel it out for 1st in the East. Carolina holds the lead and the extra win as tiebreaker. A win or overtime loss will secure them first place.

If everything falls into place the Canadiens will finish 7th, the Senators 2nd and an intense (and winnable) playoff series will be slated to begin late this week just a couple hours down the highway.