Canadiens lose to Senators, miss chance to clinch playoff spot

Thousands of Montreal Canadiens fans made their way to Ottawa in hopes of seeing their team clinch a playoff spot on Friday. They’ll have to keep heading west to Toronto if they want another chance to see the Canadiens wrap up a post-season berth. The Canadiens gave up a goal 28 seconds into Friday’s game and trailed the rest of the way in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Canadiens could have secured a playoff berth with a regulation win. They’ll try to do it again on Saturday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+ (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT). Ottawa is now five points ahead of Montreal for the first wild-card spot in the East. Each team has three games left. Shane Pinto, with two, Dylan Cozens, Ridly Greig and Drake Batherson scored for the Senators, while Christian Dvorak and Nick Suzuki replied for the Canadiens. The result snapped Montreal’s six-game win streak. The Senators return to action Sunday against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. More from Sportsnet Why Maple Leafs are ready to play a man short against Canadiens Scout’s Analysis: What Ivan Demidov brings to the Canadiens