A Winning Habit
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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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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 30: The Montreal Canadiens celebrate a third-period goal by Nick Suzuki #14 against Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 30, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 30: The Montreal Canadiens celebrate a third-period goal by Nick Suzuki #14 against Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 30, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Well, hell must have frozen over because that’s the only explanation I can think of as to why the notoriously anemic Canadiens’ power play is currently carrying the offence. Since the beginning of November, the Habs have played in six games and have seven powerplay goals during that time, good enough for a three-way tie for second most in the NHL.

They have just 8 goals at five-on-five and a GF% of 36.36%, which ranks 30th in the NHL, ahead of the Anaheim Ducks and the group of men in San Jose pretending to be an NHL team (that’s the only possible explanation as to why the Sharks are as bad as they are). The bottom line is that’s not good enough, and it’s only made worse due to the stark turnaround from October.

The Canadiens had the league’s best GF% at five-on-five during October at an insane 69.57%. I didn’t expect the Canadiens to maintain such a stat, but I didn’t foresee such a drop-off either. It’s a tad bit concerning, especially when your best goal scorer, Cole Caufield, has just one tally at five-on-five this season. He led the team with 17 goals at five-on-five last year in just 46 games. They really need to figure out how to fix this.

It’s not overly surprising that the Canadiens are struggling on offence, but this is an extreme that needs to be corrected. Only five Habs players have multiple goals at five-on-five this season, with Brendan Gallagher leading the way with four. Tonight versus the Flames, a team with a 40.68% GF% on the season at five-on-five (30th in the NHL), is an excellent opportunity to right the ship. I’d say it’s a must, as the Flames do sport a great PK unit so far this season (87.0%, 5th in the NHL).

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