We’ll never forget the Bash at the Bell Centre.
The anticipation ahead of the biggest game of the season for the Montreal Canadiens was electric.
What happened next was absolute pandemonium.
After three straight games without a goal, Cole Caufield got the party started at the Bell Centre with his 50th of the season to break a scoreless tie in the second.
Caufield became the seventh player in franchise history to hit that mark and the first since Stephane Richer all the way back in 1989-90.
Caufield anytime goal cashed at +105 at FanDuel.
Caufield to score 50+ goals this season was +2000.
The milestone sent the Montreal faithful into a frenzy.
With the home fans already buzzing, the Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning combined for 110 penalty minutes in the second period – tied for the second-most in a single period this season.
Josh Anderson answered the bell versus Declan Carlile.
Arber Xhekaj spent the period looking for a partner.
After a wild 40 minutes, the Habs headed to the third looking to clinch a key victory and gain an important two points on Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division standings.
Then with less than two minutes remaining in the third, Darren Raddysh scored the tying goal for Tampa Bay.
For a moment, Habs fans had to consider the potential for an unforgettable night to end in bitter devastation.
Nobody knew it at the time, but the stage was set for another Canadiens milestone.
47 seconds after the Lightning tied it, Montreal’s captain Nick Suzuki set up Juraj Slafkovsky for his 30th goal of the season and the game-winner.
Caufield got to 50, Slafkovsky got to 30, Suzuki reached 70 assists and is two points away from his first-career 100-point season with three games remaining.
There hasn’t been this much excitement around the Habs since they lost to Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final back in 2021.
Five years later, the Canadiens believe they have what it takes to beat the Lightning in a playoff series and make a deep postseason run.
What are the chances Montreal is primed to make a run?
Let’s dive into the updated odds in this Morning Coffee column for Friday April 10th, 2026.
A Magical Night In Montreal Has Habs Fans Revisiting Stanley Cup Odds
A week ago, I wrote about how the narrative around the Habs has shifted after they exceeded all expectations so far this season.
Remember, Montreal was 100-to-1 to win the Stanley Cup at the start of the regular season – longer odds than the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and the New York Rangers.
The Canadiens were +156 just to make the playoffs.
For perspective, the Utah Mammoth were -144 to make the playoffs at FanDuel.
In case you missed it, the Mammoth officially clinched a playoff spot on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Montreal remained two points back of the Buffalo Sabres for first place in the Atlantic Division with a game in hand.
The Sabres have won three in a row and will close out their regular season against the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars.
The Canadiens get the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Tampa Bay, which is now two points back of Montreal and four back of Buffalo, will play the Boston Bruins, Red Wings, and Rangers to wrap up their regular season.
How important are those final few games?
The Sabres are in pole position to win the Atlantic Division as a -280 favourite at FanDuel.
Then there’s the Canadiens at +390 to win the division.
The Lightning went from a -135 favourite to a +750 long shot to win the Atlantic at FanDuel following last night’s regulation loss in Montreal and a pair of wins by Buffalo.
While the division title is still within reach, it will be just as important for the Habs to finish second in the Atlantic and lock up home-ice advantage for a potential first round playoff series versus Tampa Bay.
The Canadiens have outscored the Lightning a combined 6-2 while winning their last two meetings on March 31st and April 9th.
Do the Habs have what it takes to beat Tampa Bay in a playoff series?
Per the FanDuel traders, the Lightning would be the favourite to win a playoff series with Montreal, regardless of which team has the home-ice advantage.
However, the odds would vary slightly.
Per FanDuel, Tampa Bay would be a -240 series favourite on home ice, compared to a -205 favourite if the series started in Montreal.
The Canadiens would be a +155 underdog on home ice, compared to a +190 dog if they started on the road.
How important will home-ice advantage be if they meet?
Montreal’s odds to reach the Stanley Cup Final have ticked down from +1500 to +1400 at FanDuel this week.
Despite falling to the third seed in the Atlantic Division, the Lightning remain the favourite to win the Eastern Conference at +185.
Following the elimination of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, the Eastern Conference was already considered wide open behind Tampa Bay.
If the Habs were to knock out the Lightning in Round 1, it would completely change the complexion of the East once again.
A week ago, TSN’s Director of Scouting Craig Button told us Montreal must be considered a legitimate contender.
One week later, Habs fans are buzzing about this team’s potential after a special night at the Bell Centre.
Meanwhile, the team is posting captions like these.
The Canadiens are still +3300 to win the Stanley Cup.
After an epic 10-1-0 run that has them in contention for first place in the Atlantic Division and peaking heading into the playoffs, the Montreal faithful are starting to believe that anything can happen this season.
First up, the Habs still have a chance at an Atlantic division title, or at the very least home-ice advantage for a first-round playoff series.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Have a great day, everyone!
