Since being hired in Montreal, Claude Julien has brought stability to the Canadiens.Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
The red-hot playoff race in the Eastern Conference took several turns in the last week, and it is quite likely to come down to the last day of the season (April 9) before all the playoff spots are determined.
The Western Conference playoff participants seem certain, although the positioning is anything but sure for the eight teams who will be playing postseason hockey.
In the Atlantic Division, Claude Julien and his Montreal Canadiens (93 points) continue to play solid hockey and have a three-point lead in the division over the second-placed Ottawa Senators (90 points).