The Montreal Canadiens needed a win at home to book their ticket to the playoffs with only two games left. They came out to a 2-0 lead against Chicago on the back of Ivan Demidov's first career NHL goal that was a beauty. But then they allowed three straight goals to Chicago. They were on the verge of losing in regulation until a timely penalty against Chicago and a power play goal by Caufield. That forced overtime, and eventually a shootout. Chicago youngster Frank Nazar scored the only shootout goal, pushing the Habs back to Earth from the jaws of victory, then defeat, then victory again.

CHI@MTL: Game recap | Montréal Canadiens
Demidov makes NHL debut, scores first career goal but Habs fall to Hawks in SO
Montréal Canadiens logoMontreal Canadiens

The scene now shifts to Columbus, who are four points back with two games left to play. The Habs only have one game left on Wednesday, and their magic number is one. Hope still endures for the Blue Jackets in their cincerella season after a tragic summer. Can they achieve the impossible? Part 2 is tonight.

Borya Valis is officially heading to the Marlies. We knew this already, but this is making it official.

U17 players will likely not be allowed to play on the Swedish U20 team from next season onwards. An interesting move that probably comes for many reasons but I don't speak Swedish so I'm not sure what they all are.

Marner - Yes. Tavares - Yes. Knies - well, yes, he has to. They're not trading him. The Leafs have shockingly done a great job of not making major stupid decisions for the sake of change to feed a lot of people's catharsis.

Maple Leafs Mailbag: Do Marner, Tavares, Knies all re-sign?
The Toronto Maple Leafs — winners of five of their past six — are riding out of the final weekend of the regular season hot. So, naturally, when we tossed out the call for mailbag queries, Leafs Nation pounded us with questions about the off-season.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

Oh no, fold the season, wrap it up, we're doomed. Pierre thinks the Leafs are good.

McGuire: The Leafs are for real
Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire on why the Leafs are a team to take seriously and what the Habs need to do tonight to clinch a playoff spot and have a successful NHL debut for Ivan Demidov
TSN

In case you missed this, this quote is great from Marner. Kinda reminded me of this. Did I have a dream that his father wanted him to be a forward even though he wanted to be a defenseman? Someone in the comments please correct me.

‘I like it back there’: Defenceman Marner stars as Maple Leafs deny Montreal
The Maple Leafs postponed the celebration in Montreal by out-scratching and out-clawing in what was the club’s most committed defensive effort of the season.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox
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