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Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017: NHL Bracket, Format and Updated Predictions

The Montreal Canadiens are the Atlantic Division champions.

One year after building a big lead in the division and frittering it away until they missed the playoffs, the Habs reversed that script by putting a halt to a midseason slide and finding their groove.

Their turnaround coincided with general manager Marc Bergevin's decision to fire head coach Michel Therrien and hire Claude Julien. After that move, the Canadiens turned their season around and distanced themselves from the rest of the division.

The Habs clinched the division Monday night with a 4-1 road victory over the Florida Panthers.