NHL insider Mike Johnson snubs Canucks & Flames, picks Canadiens and $1.15B franchise to make playoff cut

TSN analyst Mike Johnson weighed in on whether the Canucks or Canadiens have a better chance of making the playoffs. He stated that he believed the competition in the Western Conference would be fiercer.

Johnson was discussing the prospects of four mid-table teams from Canada: the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators in the East versus the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames in the West.

Speaking with Bryan Hayes, Jeff O’Neill and Frank Corrado on TSN’s OverDrive show on Tuesday, the hockey pundit said:

“I guess what it comes down to is, I have faith in the top teams in the West…Vegas, Edmonton, LA and Van are going to be really good and it's going to be Dallas and Colorado and Winnipeg and Minnesota. I don't think Calgary beats any of those teams.”

He seemed to believe that while the $1.15 billion Ottawa Senators (Forbes) and the Habs might not be in great form, their chances of grabbing a playoff spot were greater because of the weaker teams in the Eastern Conference.

“Montreal or Ottawa maybe beats Tampa, but I guess the likelihood of one or both of them catching Tampa or Boston possibly, is higher than them catching the top seven. I guess that's what the top eight boils down to me,” he said.

(12:56 to 15:30)

Johnson also pointed out that he was considering the collective chances of each pair rather than looking at each team separately. He felt that the Canucks are the team with the greatest chance of making it past the regular season, despite the fallout from the rumored feud between star forwards Elias Pettersson and JT Miller.

Mike Johnson assesses Canucks’ and Canadiens’ playoff uncertainties

Johnson was also asked about who would create a bigger upset if they fell short: the Ottawa Senators or Vancouver Canucks. Johnson replied:

“Feels like Vancouver. I understand Ottawa, with the changes, the pressure, if they get really close to it and get 90 points and miss. If Vancouver misses, I think it's probably a bigger deal and there'll probably be more fallout than if Ottawa didn't.”

The analyst was also pessimistic about the Habs’ chances.

“I have said with confidence Montreal is not making the playoffs this year,” he said. “Their roster is improving, they're getting it together but it's not there yet. They don't have the right mix of players, they don't have the backup goal trending, they don't have the depth scoring…If they go on a big run, they might have a chance.”

All four teams are currently in the middle of their divisions hovering at the edge of the final playoff spots.