The Montreal Canadiens’ season began in a downward spiral of absences from key roster members due to injury and a crisis of confidence. The first game the San Jose Sharks played against Montreal on Oct. 19, they crushed the Canadiens, 5-0. It seems like netminder Jake Allen may have taken it personally, because he snagged a shutout and a 4-0 win over the Sharks in the second and final meeting between the two teams.
This season (albeit reminiscent of Sharks teams past), San Jose’s Achilles heel is the first period. They start off lethargic and flat-footed, and their lack of energy usually leads to an early goal.