Canadiens: Three Keys to Victory Against the Penguins

EARLY START

Getting off to a good start is important in any game, but it’s especially important for the Canadiens. This season, the Canadiens are 7-2-1 when they score first and just 5-11-2 when they don’t. Obviously, it seems like they would be better off getting the game’s first goal. But they haven’t done that enough this season.

And they should have the advantage with the Penguins playing yesterday and the Canadiens having the two days off. The Habs should come out flying, ideally potting a couple goals to mount an early lead. This is the kind of game you don’t want to play from behind.

The Canadiens have to make the most of the advantage the schedule has provided them. Every team in the league is on either side of these kinds of games from time to time; the really good teams take advantage of that. The Habs cannot let this opportunity go to waste; they must come out hot and get the game's first goal.