Inside the Numbers: Can the Penguins Finish Against Montreal?

The Pittsburgh Penguins won two of three regular-season games against the Montreal Canadiens, but goaltending wasn’t the primary decider. There has been much talk about the Penguins against Montreal goaltender Carey Price in a short series. Players have pushed back on that notion, but the upcoming Qualifying Round matchup as part of Phase 4 of the NHL Return to Play Plan doesn’t figure to be as easy as the Penguins spanking the worst team in the 24-team tournament, either.

The Penguins had a 2-1-0 record against Montreal, but Montreal was 1-1-1 against the Penguins. Montreal thwarted one intense Penguins rally in December, but another Penguins rally in early January resulted in a 3-2 OT Penguins win.

That Montreal had a late lead in two of three games should be notable.

There has been some talk, including within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization about facing Price, but players have privately pushed back on the notion they have any fear.

The regular-season matchups were decided on several more factors that resulted from a singular, primary hockey tenant.