The Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of a tough stretch, dropping five straight games. But the stats reveal an even grimmer picture of their first month of the season.
With a 4-8-2 record to start the 2024-25 campaign, the Habs are struggling on both ends of the ice — not scoring enough and conceding far too often. As a matter of fact, they’re tied with the San Jose Sharks for the NHL’s worst goal differential at -20, scoring just 38 goals while allowing a staggering 57 in their first 14 games.
Montreal’s defensive woes also have them sharing the league’s highest goals-against total with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But with Pittsburgh having played an extra game, Montreal would need a shutout in their next match just to avoid holding the worst GA record outright.
NHL
Yikes.
Unsurprisingly, the Habs hold the honour of having the worst goals-against average in the league with 4.07. The closest team behind them is the Colorado Avalanche, who let in an average of 3.93 goals per game.
As for save percentage, Montreal’s tandem of Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau currently combine for the fifth worst with a collective .880 SV%. They are dealt an average of 31.8 shots per game.
While none of this is good news, the Canadiens have some positive numbers in their columns too.
With a power play currently capitalizing on 20.8% (12th in the NHL) of its opportunities, Montreal is on pace to have its most efficient man advantage in years.
The team also boasts the 12th-best penalty kill in the league with a respectable 83.3% success rate.
With that in mind, head coach Martin St. Louis, who equated a recent loss with vomit, remains confident that better results are on the horizon for the Canadiens.
“The engagement, the work, and the intentions are right where I want them to be,” the bench boss said after Thursday’s 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. “We’re just not getting rewarded right now. That’s okay. We’re going to keep going.”
