Masked in part by a surprisingly productive power play (31 goals, 25.62 conversion rate), we’re among the worst teams in the league in goals for percentage 5v5 (43.09). Despite our hockey .500 record, we have the third-worst goal differential (-27). Only bottom-feeders Chicago and San Jose are worse.
In an effort to staunch the early season bleeding and better insulate our goalies and threadbare defense, coach Mike Sullivan has tightened things up in the neutral zone. While his adjustments have had the desired effect on the back end, we’ve slipped below break-even in possession and play-driving stats like Corsi (49.