Yes but no. Boston and Montreal are the two options that they could play. Montreal has two top four D men both on the same side and a weaker offence. Montreal would probably bow out to Toronto. Boston has more like three top four D, but there is very little scoring behind the top line, and their goaltending has been shaky. If Boston is hot, they'll beat Toronto. If they're average or cold, they lose. I honestly doubt that Toronto could get past Tampa, but the first round is uncertain.

those wont be the d pairs at all. muzzin plays the right side and dubas might make another trade. reilly- muzzin, gardiner-zaitsev, dermott- hainsey. there defense is so much better.

They can be a wild card... BOS/MTL can beat them in the standings

Yes but I'll throw a few stats at you. These numbers are games remaining against teams who have won more than 50% of their games to remaining games against teams who have lost at least half of their games. Boston: 16/17, Montreal: 15/16, Toronto: 11/22. Toronto has a very easy schedule left.
Boston: 48-26-8-104
Montreal: 45-29-8-98
Toronto: 51-27-4-106
That's the projected totals for the rest of the year factoring Muzzin and a healthy Boston D. I doubt that Montreal passes Toronto. That's a big gap to close over 31 games. They'd have to win four more games than expected for a 22-6-3 record over the last 31 games. Either that or Toronto slumps - after they have an improving Nylander and Muzzin. Not likely. Boston could easily pass Toronto, but for Toronto to be a wildcard team both would have to pass them. Montreal isn't that good and Toronto isn't that bad.

no....the trade doesn't guarantee anything in the playoffs....but we added a solid top 4 d-man without subtracting from our roster.

If leafs meet Montreal in round 1...will you put your money where your mouth is? I'll gladly wager on the outcome of the series with you and we can have an unbiased person on here facilitate the bet.

As a Habs fan I was skeptical about this season. In fact I wanted Bergevin's head. That being said it's been a joy to watch this team chemistry grow this season. Lastly, should the Habs make the playoffs, it would certainly be entertaining, and it would bring great pleasure to beat Toronto, as much as seeing my Habs currently one point behind Leafs in standings. Go Habs Go!!

Oh I would love a Leafs-Habs matchup...and not because I think it's one that favours the leafs. When the Leafs moved into the same conference as the Habs there was tons of hope both teams would battle in the playoffs...but over the years...we've never both had squads good at the same time....when the Leafs were playoff contenders 10 or so years ago the habs were awful....then habs got good again and the leafs were awful....it's been a playoff matchup years in the making.

I would not look forward to going up against Weber and Price in the playoffs as the two of them can win you a series alone...but it's great for hockey in general if Habs and Leafs get a playoff round against each other sometime soon