The Montreal Canadiens have an opportunity to improve on their goal statistics from the previous season after the additions the team made.
One of the most known facts in the NHL is that you can’t win without saves and goals. It’s not one or the other, you must have both factors come into play. Scoring five goals a game doesn’t mean anything if you allow a touchdown. Having your goaltender allow only one doesn’t matter if you can’t score one yourself. Fortunately for the Montreal Canadiens, these are areas where they will improve in this upcoming season.
Goals for and goals against are two team stats that mean a lot to coaches (not more than wins and loses though). The rule of thumb is that you’d like to be above league average in each category. Last year’s averages were both 227 for goals for (GF) and goals against (GA).
The Montreal Canadiens last season had 223 goals for and 198 goals against. Not only was their GF below league average, but it also had them at 14th in the league. The silver lining was that their GA was the fourth best in the league.
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Improving the Goals For
The Canadiens can improve on both of these stats for next season, but especially in GF. Losing Alexander Radulov wasn’t ideal for Marc Bergevin. He only scored 17 goals last season, but he did set up a lot as well. Regardless, other players in the line-up can and will compensate for Radulov’s totals.
Team captain Max Pacioretty has no signs of slowing down and will probably have another 30-goal season. Additionally, Shea Weber is a threat anytime he’s on the ice and should have no problem scoring his 15-20. The increase lies with Jonathan Drouin, Alex Galchenyuk, Artturi Lehkonen, and Brendan Gallagher.
The hope is that Drouin and Lehkonen can improve on their totals from the year before. Drouin had 21 goals while Lehkonen scored 18 in his rookie season. Either getting close to or around 25 goals isn’t a crazy expectation, especially for Drouin.
Galchenyuk and Gallagher are the two looking for bounce back years. Last season was riddled with injuries for the two forwards and impacted their game once they returned. Galchenyuk’s 30-goal season in 2015-2016 was not a fluke. He could definitely do it again as long as he’s given an opportunity. That opportunity should be manning the top-line as it’s center.
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Gallagher had a down year offensively as well in only scoring 10 goals. Seasons before he’s had 19 and even a 24 goal season in 2015. Health is going to be key for Gallagher. If he can stay in the line-up, then he’s a force. A force who can score.
If everything clicks, a GF of 240 next season would be the most ideal.
Building on the Goals Against
This area doesn’t need to be worked on as much, but can always be improved. The Montreal Canadiens have had the pleasure of having the best goaltender in the world Carey Price as their number one. Additionally, they’ll have that pleasure for the next eight years after signing his extension.
Head coach Claude Julien is very detailed on his defensive coverage and is known for reducing scoring chances. Although the team’s GA was fairly low, Price’s numbers were lower as well at .923.
However, with a full season of Julien’s system and a blue-line catered to the defence-first mentality, those numbers can improve. Not just Price’s, but back-up Al Montoya‘s as well. Remaining in the top five for GA is where the Montreal Canadiens would want to end up at the end of the summer.
Stats aren’t always the most important thing to look at. However, they’re a great indicator of how you’re team performs. There are a lot of expectations around the Habs for this upcoming season. If they manage to improve in all areas of the game, perhaps they can match them.
Do you think the Montreal Canadiens can improve their GF and GA? If so, who needs to step up to do it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!