MONTREAL -- The Montreal Canadiens clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 6-2 win against the Florida Panthers at Bell Centre on Thursday.
The Canadiens (44-24-9), who missed the playoffs last season, lead the Ottawa Senators by six points for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Senators lost 5-1 at the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Ottawa has one game in hand.
Montreal, which has won three straight, is 12-3-1 in its past 16 games, and 12-5-1 since Claude Julien replaced Michel Therrien as coach on Feb. 14.
Canadiens return to Stanley Cup Playoffs
Clinch berth with win against Panthers after failing to qualify last season
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