Canadiens’ Schedule Offers Unique Advantage with Back-to-Back Matchups

The NHL schedule has revealed intriguing dynamics for the Montreal Canadiens, as Daily Faceoff podcast co-host Jason Gregor highlights an interesting aspect of their upcoming season. Out of the Canadiens’ 84 games, a staggering 19 will be played against teams coming off a second game in a back-to-back sequence, the highest number in the league. The Anaheim Ducks follow closely with 18 such matchups, while the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues each have 16. In stark contrast, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets will only encounter a back-to-back opponent five times this season.

While facing a tired opponent may seem advantageous on paper, the reality of the ice can tell a different story. Notably, the Canadiens themselves will also be playing in the second game of a back-to-back in four of those 19 matchups, potentially limiting their fresh legs to just 15 contests against fatigued rivals. This balance raises questions about how much of an edge the Canadiens might truly have.

It’s important to note that playing the second game of a back-to-back isn’t always a disadvantage. Last season, the Canadiens had a commendable record of 9-5-2 in such situations, tying them for the league lead alongside the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Islanders, all of whom also recorded nine wins. On the other end of the spectrum, the New York Rangers struggled significantly, finishing with a dismal 2-10-1 record in back-to-back games.

This season, the Canadiens will face only 10 back-to-back sequences, a reduction from the 16 they navigated last year. This places them among the teams with fewer back-to-backs, alongside the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights, who each have eight, while the Winnipeg Jets have nine. In contrast, the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to contend with a hefty 15 back-to-backs. The absence of the Olympics this season has contributed to a lighter schedule, a change that many teams welcome.

As the Canadiens prepare for the season ahead, only time will tell how these 19 matchups against teams on the tail end of back-to-backs will impact their performance. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if this scheduling quirk will translate into an advantage for the storied franchise.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.