Ducks Struggle on Offense and Defense, Canadiens Face Similar Challenges

Anaheim Ducks vs. Montreal Canadiens: A Clash of Struggling Teams

On Monday night, the Anaheim Ducks (10-12-3) will travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens (10-14-3) in a crucial matchup between two teams mired in the bottom of their respective divisions. With both teams possessing identical point totals of 23 points and occupying the 8th place in the Pacific and Atlantic divisions, this game will be a pivotal test as each looks to snap out of a tough stretch. Anaheim has lost two straight and five of its last seven, while Montreal enters this contest following a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, having dropped five of their last eight games. The Ducks will be without key players Trevor Zegras, Urho Vaakaninen, and Robby Fabbri, while Montreal will continue to play without long-time goaltender Carey Price.

Anaheim Ducks: Offensive Struggles and Mediocre Goaltending

The Anaheim Ducks continue to struggle on both ends of the ice this season. With an average of just 2.4 goals per game, Anaheim ranks 30th in the league in offensive output. They have struggled to create consistent scoring chances, averaging only 27.5 shots per game, which places them 26th in the NHL. To make matters worse, the Ducks’ power play has been ineffective, converting just 15.1% of their opportunities, ranking them 30th in the league. This inability to capitalize on the man advantage has been a significant factor in their offensive woes.

On the defensive side, Anaheim’s struggles continue. With an average of 3.0 goals against per game, they sit just below the league’s average for goals allowed, ranking 18th. Their penalty kill is also underperforming, ranking 26th in the league with a 75.4% success rate. Despite these issues, there are some positive individual performances. Troy Terry, Frank Vatrano, and Leo Carlsson are tied as the team’s leading goal scorers, each with six goals. Terry has also been Anaheim’s top point producer, with 19 points (13 assists). Young players like Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier have shown promise, contributing eight assists each.

In goal, Lukas Dostal has played a majority of the games, posting a 6-7-2 record with a 2.73 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Dostal has been relatively solid, but the Ducks’ defensive lapses have made it difficult for him to find consistency.

Montreal Canadiens: Offensive and Defensive Struggles Persist

Much like the Ducks, the Montreal Canadiens are struggling to find a winning formula. With a 2.8 goals-per-game average, the Canadiens rank 21st in offensive production. Despite Cole Caufield leading the team with 17 goals, Montreal has been unable to maintain offensive pressure, ranking dead last in the league with 24.3 shots per game. The lack of shot volume has limited their ability to generate consistent offense, and while their power play is solid, converting 22.0% of its opportunities (13th in the league), it hasn’t been enough to make up for other shortcomings.

On the defensive side, Montreal has allowed 3.6 goals per game, ranking them 30th in goals allowed. They are giving up 29.7 shots per game, which ranks 24th in the league. While the Canadiens’ penalty kill has been effective at 83.5% (5th in the league), the team’s overall defensive performance has been inconsistent. Sam Montembeault, their starting goaltender, has struggled with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. With a 8-11-2 record, Montembeault has been under siege in many games, as Montreal continues to battle defensive breakdowns and lack of shot suppression.

At the offensive end, Nick Suzuki has been the team’s top point producer with 28 points, including 18 assists, while Caufield remains the goal-scoring leader with 17 tallies. Suzuki and Caufield are the only real consistent threats up front for the Canadiens, and the team will need more depth scoring to remain competitive.

Conclusion

This game shapes up to be a tightly contested battle between two teams that are having difficulty on both sides of the puck. While Montreal has some offensive firepower in Suzuki and Caufield, they will need to improve defensively to hold off a Ducks team led by Terry and Vatrano. With Montembeault in net, Montreal’s defense will likely give up a few goals, but their offensive depth and special teams edge should be enough to push them past Anaheim in what promises to be a high-scoring affair.

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