Gallagher: Habs given 'second life' in NHL's return-to-play plan. MORE:
They were 24th in the standings when the NHL season was paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic, had just 71 points, and lost four times in regulation to the abysmal Detroit Red Wings.The Canadiens were handed a lifeline by the NHL's 24-team return-to-play plan announced earlier this week that would see Montreal face the Pittsburgh Penguins in one of eight best-of-five qualifying round series for a berth in the 16-club playoff bracket.
"You just try and take advantage of that the best you can if all goes well," the Montreal winger added. "This is really the only opportunity that works for the league and the players in the sense of giving everyone a fair opportunity, and not taking that opportunity from a team with 10 to 14 games to go who could have made a push to make the playoffs."
"But like any athlete, you look forward to testing yourselves and look forward to seeing how you hold up in those situations. It'll be a test for our group."
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