A look back on the Habs' playoff run — and how it energized the city

The Montreal Canadiens' riveting playoff run has come to an end.

The Habs lost in five games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final, coming up three wins short of the Stanley Cup final.

In the end, they were no match for the Hurricanes.

But make no mistake: this team, led by a nucleus of established and emerging young stars like captain Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Juraf Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov and goaltender Jakub Dobeš, has many Habs fans feeling hopeful about the future.

It electrified the city and sparked hope that the franchise's 25th Stanley Cup would come sooner rather than later.

Here's a look at how Habs fever in Montreal — and beyond — appeared to reach a level unseen in years.

Habs fans found unlikely spots to watch the games, from churches to fire stations.

And that's without mentioning the packed crowds in the fan zone outside the Bell Centre during home games and the team opening the Bell Centre on occasion for watch parties.

There were also watch parties at the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City.

A group based in Gatineau, Que., tried to host a watch party at a local arena there, but the National Hockey League squashed that plan due to an issue over territorial rights involving the Ottawa Senators.

That led to a petition.

Eventually, MNAs at Quebec's National Assembly voted unanimously in favour of a motion to denounce the NHL's decision.

So yes, watch parties for the Habs were a thing this spring — and even the source of controversy.

From alleys to fire stations — Habs watch parties in Montreal are getting more creative

Seven games. All of them decided by a single goal. Four of them went to overtime.

During the first round, the young Habs showed they had what it took to