Montreal Canadiens Standings: How The Habs Shape Up For The 2026-2027 NHL Season Push
As of August 17, 2026, the Montreal Canadiens are deep in offseason preparations, with front-office maneuvers and rookie showcases setting the stage for the upcoming NHL campaign. Fans and analysts alike are projecting how the franchise will climb the intensely competitive Atlantic Division standings after showing flashes of elite potential last winter. Below is the final look at how the division shook out at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 regular season, showcasing the mountain Montreal must climb.
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | DIFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Panthers* | 82 | 51 | 24 | 7 | 109 | +42 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs* | 82 | 48 | 26 | 8 | 104 | +35 |
| Boston Bruins* | 82 | 46 | 27 | 9 | 101 | +24 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning* | 82 | 44 | 30 | 8 | 96 | +12 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 33 | 8 | 90 | +2 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 39 | 37 | 6 | 84 | -10 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 36 | 38 | 8 | 80 | -18 |
| Ottawa Senators | 82 | 33 | 41 | 8 | 74 | -28 |
*Clinched Playoff Berth
Rebuild Progress and the Atlantic Division Gauntlet
The Montreal Canadiens completed their 2025-2026 campaign showing clear signs of developmental maturity under head coach Martin St. Louis. Finishing seventh in the Atlantic Division with 80 points marks an upward trend from previous rebuilding phases, driven largely by the progression of their young core.
Key takeaways from Montreal's recent position in the standings include:
- Top-Line Synergy: The chemistry between captain Nick Suzuki, sniper Cole Caufield, and former first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky solidified Montreal's offensive identity.
- Defensive Pipeline: Promising blue-liners gained critical NHL minutes, laying the groundwork for a more robust defensive structure.
- Special Teams Hurdle: To turn close overtime losses into wins, Montreal must address its power play and penalty kill units, which lagged in the bottom third of league rankings.
How to Track Live NHL Standings and Stream Canadiens Games
For fans looking to monitor the Habs' climb in real-time once the 2026-2027 season begins, keeping up with schedule updates and broadcast options is essential.
- Official Standings: The most accurate, real-time statistical updates are found on the official NHL app and NHL.com, which break down wild card races and tiebreaker formulas.
- Canadian Broadcasts: Regional games are split between RDS (French) and TSN2 (English), while national matchups air on Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada.
- U.S. and International Streaming: Fans outside local markets can stream live Canadiens broadcasts via ESPN+ in the United States and NHL.TV internationally.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers - September 23, 2025 | Live ...
The Climb to the 2026-2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs
As training camps approach in September 2026, general manager Kent Hughes faces the challenge of transitioning Montreal from a developing squad to a legitimate playoff contender. The margin for error in the Eastern Conference is razor-thin, meaning the Canadiens must improve their road record and divisional record to bridge the 16-point gap to a playoff spot.
Health will remain the ultimate wildcard for this young roster. If Montreal can avoid the long-term injuries that plagued their previous campaigns, their depth will test veteran division rivals. The opening month of the 2026-2027 season will be crucial for setting a winning tone and positioning the Canadiens favorably in the early standings.
