Montreal Canadiens Season Overview
As the NHL pauses for the Olympics, the Montreal Canadiens are set to resume their season with just 25 games remaining, following their initial 57 matches. Out of these upcoming fixtures, 13 will take place at their home arena, the Bell Centre, where the Canadiens have shown promise with a home record of 16 wins, 11 losses, and 1 overtime loss.
Performance Metrics
Their goal differential stands at plus three, aided by an 18.9% success rate on the power play and an 81% efficiency on the penalty kill.
On the road, the Canadiens have been even more impressive, boasting a record of 16 wins, 6 losses, and 7 overtime losses, along with a solid plus 11 goal differential. Their proficiency on the power play rises to 28.1%, although their penalty kill needs improvement at 73.5%.
Upcoming Challenges
With the calendar quickly winding down, Montreal’s schedule is completely full with weeks that include four games apiece, and there are even four back-to-back match-ups to navigate.
The fight for playoff spots is heating up, as 11 out of their remaining 25 games are against teams currently in playoff contention. Meanwhile, 14 games will be against teams struggling outside the playoff bubble; the urgency faced by some could be an advantage as they will be pushing hard for a postseason berth, while a few others might have already thrown in the towel.
Division Standings
Presently, the Canadiens occupy second place in the Atlantic Division, trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning by six points. The Lightning have been in outstanding form, recently winning five consecutive games and posting an 8-1-1 record over their last 10 outings. The Canadiens will need to square off with Tampa Bay twice before the conclusion of the season, a significant challenge that lies ahead for them.
Key Matchups
In addition, they will meet the Carolina Hurricanes two times; this top team in the Metropolitan Division is riding a three-game win streak and boasts an impressive 8-0-2 record in their last ten games, without having lost in regulation since January 13. Moreover, Montreal must contend with the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that remains competitive in the fight for a playoff position, having recently won their last seven out of ten games, with only one tie and no losses in their recent stretch.
The Canadiens will face the New York Islanders, currently positioned third in the Metropolitan Division and fresh off two victories, three times before the season wraps up. Their first encounter comes shortly after the Olympic break on February 26, making it crucial for the Habs to continue their strong performance.
Conclusion
With a commendable season thus far, the Canadiens have a tough road ahead if they aim to ensure a playoff spot well before the regular season concludes. Follow Karine for further updates on social media and stay informed on all Canadiens’ news by bookmarking The Hockey News’ dedicated Canadiens page.
