The Montreal Canadiens face the Ottawa Senators with both teams looking to improve from rough starts to the season. The Canadiens have a 14-12-2 record while the Senators have a 12-14-2 and are near the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Both teams are looking to improve within the division and the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game looks to be a good one as a result.
The Canadiens are having a rough season with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.86 goals per game. While Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Kirby Dach have scored 34 goals and 39 assists to lead the top two lines, the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have six goals or more while only five skaters have added nine assists or more and opposing defenses can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Canadiens down this season, allowing 3.46 goals per game. Johnathan Kovacevic and Jordan Harris have combined for 2.5 defensive point shares and 68 blocked shots but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to carry the puck into the offensive zone and find open shots on the net. In addition, goaltender Jake Allen has struggled in the net with a .901 save percentage and a 3.26 goals-against average on 624 shots.< /p>