The Montreal Canadiens have put themselves in a position where they now control their own destiny. A win tonight would secure the Canadiens their spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, but the Canadiens not only control the fate of their own team tonight but that of 4 additional teams in the National Hockey League as well.

There are 4 teams, and their respective fan bases, who will find themselves suddenly adopting the Toronto Maple Leafs this evening as they will all have a rooting interest in a Leafs victory. Here is a look at the 4 teams the Canadiens can send packing tonight and the scenarios in which that would happen.

#1 The New York Rangers.

Probably the most shocking name on the list if we were going by pre-season prognostications would be the New York Rangers. After a season filled with conflict and turmoil the Rangers find themselves in desperate need of help to even have a chance at making the playoffs. Should the Canadiens earn even a single point against the Maple Leafs it will be lights out for the Rangers and their playoff hopes.

#2 The New York Islanders.

The New York Islanders are also hanging on by a thread and currently sit 2 points back of the aforementioned Rangers with a game in hand. This puts them in the exact same boat as the Rangers, where any point from the Montreal Canadiens tonight would result in the Islanders being officially eliminated from playoff contention.

#3 The Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings have the same number of points and the same number of games played as the New York Rangers so, like the two teams listed above, a single point from the Habs will see another Red Wings season come to an early end.

#4 The Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Of all the teams on this list the Blue Jackets actually have the most hope of remaining alive today, a pretty impressive accomplishment given everything that team has endured this season. That being said the Blue Jackets are also standing on the edge of the precipice with the Montreal Canadiens in full control of their destiny.

A win in regulation for the Canadiens would spell the end of the season for the Blue Jackets, but that now appears to be the only scenario in which the Blue Jackets will be eliminated tonight.

There were a number of other possible scenarios but with the Blue Jackets currently holding a 6-0 lead over the Washington Capitals after 2 periods on Saturday, it seems they are destined to win today’s game in regulation.

Will the Canadiens knock out all 4 teams tonight? Let me know your predictions in the comments.