The Montreal Canadiens are off to a surprisingly good start to the season. Many thought they would be bottom-feeding by this point, but they have held their own so far. Saying that, there are a few odd statistical outliers to their season so far.
First of all, Max Domi scored 9 goals in both the 2016-17 season and the 2017-18 season, and now he’s already matched those totals only 17 games into the season. He scored his 9th in the Habs’ 15th game. That’s a crazy improvement.
Also, Carey Price? What’s happening to the goalie that many would have agreed is best in the world just a few years ago? Now he’s near the bottom of the league in almost all goalie statistics among starting goalies.
We’ve got one more odd tidbit to add to the bunch. The Canadiens, despite giving up their leading goal scorer in Max Pacioretty during the offseason, are leading the league in 5 vs. 5 goals.
Not what we were expecting out of the Canadiens. They're 42 5 vs. 5 goals are tops in the league, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers tying for second at 40.
Unfortunately for the Habs, they are also tied for 23rd in the league in 5 vs. 5 goals against at 36. Still, the ability to put the biscuit in the basket while teams are at even strength is definitely a stat that any team will take.
(H/T Marc Dumont)
