Sportlogiq’s Forces statements aim to provide an objective look at how each club is performing in the NHL. We look at key stats to not only evaluate each team’s performance, such as: g. goal difference and percentage points scored, but also the process to see which clubs can expect promotion or relegation.

Specifically, for this 2nd point, we use the expected goal difference. This statistic measures the quality and quantity of shots earned and allowed by each formation. A positive difference indicates a club that regularly gets more chances than their opponent and can therefore expect to score sooner or later, while a negative difference is generally a bad sign for future success.

We only look at stats for the 2022-23 season, with a focus on the last 21 days to illustrate each club’s most recent game.

The State of the Forces is back after a vacation and a lot has changed. Seven teams fell at least five places, including a staggering 14-place drop for one organization.

Unfortunately, the Canadiens are one of those clubs. Montreal fell five places and is now in 30th place. They ended their 2022 with back-to-back losses to the Panthers and Capitals with a 16-4 aggregate score. They’re 1-4-1 on their westbound trip that ends in Nashville tonight.

For the optimists among you, Montreal has had four power-play goals in their last four games after a long losing streak. For the naysayers, well, the Habs are the last expected goal in the NHL this season, which bodes very badly for future success.