The Montreal Canadiens are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out on the postseason in each of the past three NHL campaigns. They say anything can happen in the playoffs, and the Habs are certainly living up to that mantra as they look to shock the Washington Capitals in the first round. Ahead of Game 1 in D.C., Brendan Gallagher addressed the team’s mindset, warning Washington not to take them for granted.
The Canadiens clinched a playoff spot when not many—if anybody—in the NHL gave them a shot. Expected to remain a bottomfeeder for a few more years, the Habs have blossomed into a physical, gritty competitor that’s held its ground against the league’s powerhouses.
Despite some late-season struggles that nearly cost them their playoff ticket, the Canadiens secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, their first-round matchup is one that could make fans tremble, as the top team in the East—the Capitals—await.
On the eve of the opening game in the series, when the Habs will take on the Caps on the road, Gallagher voiced a firm statement on how the team in Montreal is embracing and gearing up for this opportunity.
“We expect a long, physical series,” Gallagher boldly said, via NHL.com. “I’m excited for the guys to be a part of this. It’ll be nice to get to Washington, get settled in, and get ready for what the series has in store. It should be a lot of fun.”
Washington is the heavy favorite to move on, with many predicting a 4-0 series win or a gentleman’s sweep for the Caps. Montreal acknowledges they need to prove their worth in the big stage, but they aren’t getting their spirits down because Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals stand on the other end of the ice, as Patrik Laine “they couldn’t care less.”
Weather the storm
Montreal has been a team of great peaks and valleys all season long. Their 2024-25 campaign was defined by impressive winning streaks, along with gut-wrenching skids. That inconsistency nearly cost them a playoff spot in the final game of the season.
However, the postseason is no place for emotional rollercoasters, as even a short losing streak could place their heads between a rock and a hard place. Gallagher was a part of the Canadiens’ roster that fell in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, and so he offered a crucial piece of advice for his teammates making their playoff debuts.
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“There’s highs and there’s lows. There’s going to be some really exciting moments, some tough moments to handle, but stay on an even keel, stay in neutral. Not letting one game affect the next is really important in the playoffs. Be prepared for that and don’t forget to enjoy it, because that’s what we play for all year.”