HabsWorld.net --
At one game away from midseason, the Habs continue to show impressive consistency in groups of five games, albeit a little less on a game-to-game basis. This last five games is yet another stint well above 0.600 hockey with eight points out of 10. They also topped their highest goals scored over five games with 23. Although they are still below a 0.900 in save percentage for all but one group of five games, they have returned to a positive goal differential (+1) for the first time since November.
The annual Southeast Holidays trip, which has been a consistent midseason blow to the team’s statistics, is a boost for a second year in a row with a total of five out of six points so far. With two more games remaining on this trip, they are assured of at least a 0.500 point percentage.
Advanced stats presented by NHL Edge are shown below. The team has improved its zone time ranking as of late in both the offensive (23rd after 35 games) and defensive zones (25th after 35 games). Although their total shots on goal are among the worst in the league, this is skewed by a very low count of long-range shots, which is by far the worst in the league. This is not surprising considering that they lack a powerful shooter at the blueline and their style of play involves having mobile defencemen carrying the puck low to create chaos. Their conversion rate remains the second-best in the league at 13.2%.
The team continues to keep pace with the other teams at the top of the Atlantic Division and they are nine points ahead of last year after 40 games. This is an excellent sign as it corresponds to the beginning of the spectacular push they had last year that led to a playoff spot in the final game of the season. The Habs are currently on a seven-game point streak with only one regulation loss in their last 10 games. This performance comes in at a time when both the Red Wings and the Lightning are also playing at a 0.750 rate over the last 10 games, remaining well within striking distance.
The Habs are a dangerous team on the road with an outstanding 13-4-3 record. Only the Avalanche and the Stars have a better road record than the Habs, with just two points more. They remain above a 100-point projection at the current rate and will easily beat last year’s 91-point season unless they complete the second half of the season at a point production rate well below 0.500.
The three-goalie rotation has been a big subject in Montreal. With Samuel Montembeault playing a solid game versus the Panthers, pressure has been mounting to send either Jacob Fowler or Jakub Dobes to Laval. It is doubtful that this will happen before the end of their current road trip. It would not be surprising to see Fowler again versus the Blues, followed by Montembeault against Dallas. A decision will probably be taken once they return home. Some roster and cap space decisions also need to be made considering the imminent return of Kirby Dach and Kaiden Guhle. However, Josh Anderson’s injury in the game versus Carolina has yet to be reported on at the time of writing which could impact those needed moves.
