Hallelujah! The Canadiens finally found a team they could beat — the Chicago Wolves. Yes, the fourth time proved to be the charm and the Canadiens are in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 following their 4-2 victory over the visiting Hurricanes Wednesday night at the Bell Centre.

Drake Batherson scored the tying and go-ahead goals in the third period and the Ottawa Senators tuned up for the playoffs with a 7-5 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.