Wild Bring the Better Chances to a Canadiens Team That Keeps Winning

Two teams off strong starts meet Tuesday at the Bell Centre, and they have gotten there in very different ways. Minnesota has been creating the better looks and limiting the other side's. Montréal has been winning anyway, while giving up more than it creates.

Over the last ten games, the Wild averaged 3.87 expected goals for (how many goals their chances were worth) against 2.95 allowed. The Canadiens flip that picture: their chances have been worth less than what they've given up. They also averaged fewer shot attempts than their opponents, while Minnesota generated more than it allowed.

Yet Montréal is 8-0-2 in its last ten and sits fourth in the East at 11-3-3. Minnesota leads the Central at 12-3-4 with a +20 goal difference.

For the Wild to win, Kirill Kaprizov and company need their chance edge to show up on the scoreboard. For Montréal, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson must keep finishing well enough to cover the gap.