Sacre bleu! The Canadiens risk missing the playoffs if they can't pick up a point tonight, which would open the doors for Columbus to pip Les Habitants for the last East wild card spot. Much like the Blues last night, however, expect Montreal to remove the drama tonight, as the last three efforts have not been especially bad, though Martin St Louis still probably can't believe his side blew a 2-0 lead vs. the lowly Blackhawks on Monday. Fortunately, the Canes have geared things down the past two weeks with their playoff spot secure, with losses in five of six. Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov not sharp lately, saving just 117 of 141 shots (.829 saves) across his last six. Play Canadiens on Money Line.

I'm still in shock, honestly, that Montreal lost at home to Chicago on Monday -- cost me a parlay -- and that defeat means the Habs now have to care Wednesday vs. Carolina. All they need is a point, and they clinch the East's final WC spot. A regulation loss and they wait and see what Columbus does Thursday in its finale vs. the NY Islanders. I will be fascinated to see how the Hurricanes handle Wednesday because they are locked into their playoff seed. You could perhaps take Montreal ML but see my worry there would be if the game goes to OT. The Habs could then just take a nap.