Updated NHL Playoffs Bracket: Canadiens eliminate Senators

By Josh Hill | Apr 26, 2015

Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) celebrates his goal against Ottawa Senators with teammates defenseman Tom Gilbert (77) and center Tomas Plekanec (14) during the first period in the game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

The NHL Playoffs are moving closer to the second round beginning, and the Montreal Canadiens punched their ticket on Sunday night.

It wasn’t an easy series, but the Montreal Canadiens have survived an early scare and eliminated the Ottawa Senators in the first-round.

Montreal lost Game 5 at home on Friday, which allowed a Game 6 to come about but there would be no more hockey for the Ottawa Senators this season beyond that. The Sens fought hard and they were in Game 6 the whole way through, but the Canadiens smothered them with defense and held on to a 2-0 win.

Here’s a look at the updated NHL Playoffs Bracket now that the Montreal Canadiens have eliminated their rival countryman in the Ottawa Senators.

Click to Enlarge

2015NHLBracket_form-2 /

Montreal is the No. 2 overall seed in the Eastern Conference and they’re looking to roll to the conference finals and a potential showdown with the New York Rangers.

Of course, they’ll have to get through either the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Detroit Red Wings first, but Montreal is hitting their stride and a Conference Finals rematch from last year seems to be in store. That’s a long ways off, but the Canadiens are one of the best teams in hockey and their scare against the Senators might cause them to tighten up in a way that makes them even harder to play than they were before.

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