Byron scores twice, Canadiens beat Panthers to clinch playoff spot
MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens are back in the playoffs.
After a massive collapse left them out of the NHL post-season last year, the Canadiens clinched a playoff spot with a 6-2 blowout victory over the injury-struck Florida Panthers on Thursday night.
Brendan Gallagher led the way with his first four-point game for the Canadiens (44-24-9).
“That’s every team’s goal at the start of the year — you just want to get in,” said Gallagher. “Everyone knows that anything can happen from there.