The Montreal Canadiens have started to click as of late, winning three of their last four games. They have been able to do so while overcoming one potential concern that could be a problem as the season goes along and that is their third-period performance.
Through eight games this season, the Canadiens have been outscored in the third period 11 goals to six, but three of those goals were in the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the last three games, the Canadiens have been outscored five goals to one.
The good news for the Canadiens, though, is that it hasn't cost them that much in the win column because they won two of those three games. However, the way the Sabres came back in both games last week gave them a point in each of those meetings, which is not ideal in what is expected to be a very competitive Atlantic Division.
Montreal Canadiens are getting their chances but just aren't converting
When comparing the third period last season for the Montreal Canadiens, they are still getting the same level of chances, if not slightly more. Through the first eight games, the Canadiens have averaged nine shots on goal in the third period, while last year it was eight shots on goal per period.
The biggest difference is that last season they were scoring, as they had 96 third-period goals and a shooting percentage of 14.5%. Meanwhile, this season their shooting percentage is only 8.3%.
Of the 96 third-period goals, 15 of them were empty net goals for the Canadiens, while this season the Canadiens are one of 10 teams still searching for their first empty net goal of the season. However, removing the 15 empty net goals from the total, the shooting percentage is still significantly higher than this season at 12.2%.
The good news for the Canadiens is that their recent third period struggles haven't cost them much in terms of points in the standings. They have found a way to win in shootouts and overtime, but it is a risky game to play, and the best thing for this team is to not even allow it to get to that extra period.
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