Following the weekend’s games, only the Tampa Bay Lightning ranks ahead of the Montreal Canadiens in total goals scored among Eastern Conference teams. And yet, Montreal ranks 13th in the NHL in expected goals, a statistic that assigns a value to every unblocked shot attempt based on various characteristics, such as shot location or whether it is a rebound attempt.
The Canadiens also sit seventh in the overall standings, despite a negative expected goals differential, a negative shot attempt differential and a negative shot differential. Add to that the fact that the Canadiens have a negative goal differential at five-on-five.