The performances of the Montreal Canadiens in front of their fans at the Bell Centre have been inconsistent for nearly two months. There is an eye-opening statistic that helps to understand what is not working. Because at first glance, the inconsistency of the Canadiens at home cannot be blamed on pressure from the fans. A visit to Madison Square Garden in New York or the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia is enough to understand what a hostile crowd is. It is not uncommon to hear Rangers and Flyers fans booing their own team when things are not to their liking. In Montreal, it is not like that. Canadiens fans generally support their team through good times and bad. So it is by looking at the numbers that the picture becomes clear. Statistics can be made to say what one wants; that is true. However, some do not lie. Since Nov. 1, Martin St. Louis’s men have experienced all sorts of difficulties in the second period at home, and a closer look reveals a striking observation. When the Canadiens have the upper
