Canadiens Struggling Defensively, Bruins Seek Offensive Revival
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins
The Montreal Canadiens (8-12-3) will visit the Boston Bruins (11-11-3) as both teams look to regain form in the competitive Atlantic Division. Montreal sits at the bottom of the division, while the Bruins are slightly better but still struggling to find consistency. Both teams have endured disappointing seasons thus far, with Montreal faltering on both ends of the ice and Boston’s offense failing to meet expectations. This game presents an opportunity for both teams to turn things around and build momentum for the rest of the season.
Montreal Canadiens: Offensive and Defensive Woes Continue
The Montreal Canadiens have encountered a series of challenges, with their offense and defense both underperforming. Averaging just 2.82 goals per game, Montreal ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring, a significant issue for a team that has struggled to find secondary scoring beyond their top players. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have provided the bulk of the offense, combining for 21 goals and 17 assists, but the lack of depth is apparent, with only five other skaters having scored five or more goals. This heavy reliance on the top line has made the Canadiens’ offense predictable, allowing opponents to focus on shutting down their key players.
Defensively, the Canadiens are also struggling, allowing an alarming 3.73 goals per game. They’ve surrendered 16 goals in their last three games alone, further highlighting their defensive lapses. While Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson have contributed with 5.8 defensive point shares between them, the rest of the defensive unit has been leaky, allowing opponents to create high-danger scoring chances with relative ease.
In goal, Samuel Montembeault has had a tough time keeping pucks out of the net, posting a .899 save percentage and a 3.06 goals-against average on 436 shots. His performance has been below expectations, with a -0.9 goals saved above average, leaving the Canadiens vulnerable to big offensive teams like the Bruins.
Boston Bruins: Offensive Struggles and Defensive Inconsistencies
The Boston Bruins, while slightly better than Montreal in terms of record, have faced their own set of issues this season, particularly with their offense. Averaging only 2.32 goals per game, the Bruins’ offense has failed to find its rhythm. They’ve scored just seven goals in their last three games, which underscores the challenges they face. David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Elias Lindholm remain the team’s top producers, combining for 19 goals and 33 assists, but like Montreal, the rest of the roster has struggled to contribute. Only five other skaters have scored more than five goals, limiting the Bruins’ ability to generate consistent offense.
Despite the offensive struggles, Boston’s defense has been almost as problematic, allowing 3.08 goals per game. While Charlie McAvoy and Nikita Zadorov have posted a combined 7.0 defensive point shares, the rest of the defensive corps has been inconsistent. Opponents have been able to enter the offensive zone with ease and create quality scoring chances, further complicating Boston’s season.
In net, Jeremy Swayman has not been able to carry the team with his goaltending, as evidenced by his .892 save percentage and 3.09 goals-against average on 474 shots faced. His -4.2 goals saved above average indicates that he’s allowed more goals than expected based on the quality of shots he’s faced, contributing to Boston’s struggles on both ends of the ice.
Conclusion
Both teams are struggling with inconsistency, but Boston’s offensive woes might be the bigger issue at the moment. The Bruins have the talent to break through, but they’ve yet to demonstrate it consistently. Montreal will need more than just their top duo of Suzuki and Caufield to compete, especially given their defensive issues. If the Bruins’ offense clicks, they should be able to take advantage of Montreal’s weaknesses. However, if Jeremy Swayman continues to struggle and Montreal can create scoring chances from their depth, we could see a much closer game.
Unlock Winning Insights!
As the Chargers and Falcons battle it out, make sure you have the best information at your fingertips. Our data packages provide in-depth analysis and statistics that can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning big this season!
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to explore our data packages and elevate your game strategy today!
