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Canadiens: Three Keys to Tonight’s Game Versus Calgary

By Ryan Praught

MONTREAL, CANADA - DECEMBER 12: Josh Anderson #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck against Andrew Mangiapane #88 of the Calgary Flames during the third period at Centre Bell on December 12, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - DECEMBER 12: Josh Anderson #17 of the Montreal Canadiens skates the puck against Andrew Mangiapane #88 of the Calgary Flames during the third period at Centre Bell on December 12, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 12: Mike Matheson #8 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre on November 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 12: Mike Matheson #8 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre on November 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

The Canadiens have scored the first goal just six times in 15 games this season. Their record in those six games is 4-1-1. This includes both of Montreal’s wins in regulation this season. In the nine games in which the Canadiens don’t score first, they’re 3-5-1.

Clearly, it’s in the Canadiens best interest to score the first goal of the game. Getting off to fast starts has been something Martin St. Louis has wanted out of the Canadiens, and you can see why. It’s a lot harder to play from behind in the NHL, and the Habs have found that out the hard way.

Against Tampa Bay a week ago, they gave up the first four goals of the game; they’re hoping to avoid anything like that a week later. With Calgary struggling the way they have been, you want to get ahead of them early, maybe rattle them a little and play with a lead, something the Canadiens haven’t been able to do a lot of this season.

Calgary has four wins this season, two of which came when they scored first and two when they allowed the first goal. Even then, you know they will want to get ahead in this one and silence the crowd. It’s in the Habs best interest to not let that happen.

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