The Montreal Canadiens punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final on May 18, 2026, after a gritty 3-2 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7.
Podcast hosts are fixated on the atmosphere surrounding the team. Paul Bissonnette on Pardon My Take insists that "if you ever have the ability to go to Montreal to watch a playoff game, do it." He further noted that the team is treated like royalty, stating, "they're the New York Yankees of, of, like, the players, the way they're treated."
The belief in the club's trajectory is widespread. PK Subban, appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, echoed this sentiment, admitting, "I think in the east there's still a chance, you know, and I really believe it's Montreal." While Darius Butler maintained a more neutral stance during the series, he agreed that the games "starts in Montreal in that crazy environment."
With the Carolina Hurricanes waiting in the next round, the organization is already shuffling its depth, having assigned prospects Filip Mešár and Vinzenz Rohrer to international play. The real test of the team's momentum begins May 21.
