The Canadiens pushed deep into the playoffs last season, advancing to the Eastern Conference Final before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup winners. Despite the loss, the team appears to be refining its approach, recognizing that success in high-pressure postseason matchups demands more than just strong regular-season form. Analysts suggest the experience of facing elite competition has sharpened their focus, though challenges remain in sustaining performance when it matters most. The question now is whether those lessons translate into a breakthrough in this year’s postseason.

The Canadiens raised the bar by reaching the Eastern Conference Final last season before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. They’re learning, though, that it’s not always ...