Florida Panthers set for second straight meeting with Montreal Canadiens Tuesday

Sunday’s matinee matchup between the Panthers and Canadiens did not go well for the home team. The Habs entered Amerant Bank Arena and defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions 4-2.

The two Atlantic Division teams will face off again on Tuesday, this time at the Bell Center in Montreal. This will be a critical game for both sides, given the current divisional and wildcard standings.

The current playoff picture

The Panthers are currently tied with their Florida rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning, for second in the Atlantic with 91 points through 73 games played. Meanwhile, the Habs sit at 77 points. This puts them even with the New York Rangers for the second Eastern Conference wildcard spot, with a game in hand (New York has played 74 games to Montreal’s 73).

The chase for first in the Atlantic is still up for grabs. The Toronto Maple Leafs sit in first right now, with a slim three-point lead over the Florida clubs. If the season ended today, the Lightning would host a Floridian first-round series against the Panthers.

Meanwhile, Montreal is in the midst of a highly-contested race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Ottawa Senators have pulled away from the rest of the field for the first wildcard, but the second wildcard is a jumbled mess. The team leading the crazy race seems to change every day. A mere three points separate the Habs, Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Islanders.

A preview of Tuesday’s matchup

To say Tuesday’s game is big for both sides is an understatement. Florida is the betting favorite, but the Habs have been a problem for the team this year. The Canadiens have won all three head-to-head games this season, scoring twelve goals to the Panthers' three.

Sunday’s game was chippy and physical, and Tuesday will likely provide much of the same. There may be some added tension and hostility following the end of Sunday’s game. As the third period clock wound down, Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola blasted a long-range shot toward Montreal’s net.

The Habs did not take kindly to Mikkola breaking an unwritten rule, and a scuffle ensued after regulation. The referees did a good job de-escalating the situation, but I expect the animosity to spill over. The NHL also took notice of the incident, fining Mikkola the maximum $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

That won’t do the Panthers any favors coming into an always raucous atmosphere in Montreal. The Habs will be looking for a surprising four-game sweep of the defending champions during the regular season, and Florida will undoubtedly be looking to avoid it. Tuesday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM Eastern.