Canadiens discover scoring is scarce in the playoffs
One of the biggest surprises of the first round of the playoffs so far is the inability of high-octane offenses to execute as well as they did during the regular season. That much is evident in Tampa Bay, where the Lightning -- the NHL's best offense in the regular season -- have been shut out twice by the Red Wings.
That's bad news for the Canadiens, who were one of the worst teams on offense in the regular season among the 16 postseason clubs. In a recent story by The Hockey Writers, one of the five biggest takeaways from the first round was Montreal's play in the offensive zone. The Canadiens tied for the second-worst goals-per-game total in the first round (2) with Ottawa.
But it is not all bad news for Montreal, as goalie Carey Price is more than able to save the day.
"While one could no doubt come up with some deep philosophical meaning regarding Ottawa suffering its first shutout of the season in its final game, there’s a pretty obvious one as well: they just finally ran into a good-enough goalie to accomplish the feat (in extraordinary fashion, no less)," The Hockey Writers wrote. "The high-pressure circumstances in which Price did it only add to his legend (and the chances of Montreal moving on past the second round)."
(h/t The Hockey Writers)
Photo by Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
