Five things to know as the Canadiens host the Arizona Coyotes at the Bell Centre on Thursday (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio), by Pat Hickey.

1. Confidence builder

The Canadiens have been no better than mediocre for most of this season, but the Coyotes are positively the worst team in the NHL and this is the type of game that gives the Canadiens an opportunity to bolster their record and confidence. After 20 games, Arizona is last in the NHL standings with a 2-15-3 record, one of the worst starts in NHL history. Montreal is 30th in goals per game at 2.42. The only team with less production is Arizona at 2.25.

2. De-fence, de-fence

It should be noted Arizona also has the NHL’s worst defence, allowing 3.9 goals a game. The Canadiens were tied for 25th in defence, allowing 3.32 goals a game, but that number has been dropping since Charlie Lindgren replaced the injured Carey Price in goal. Lindgren hasn’t allowed more than two goals in any of his five starts. He has a 3-1-1 record with a 1.39 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. His backup will be Antti Niemi, who was picked up on waivers from Florida Tuesday.

3. Injuries mounting

It’s a good thing the Canadiens moved their farm team to Laval because that means reinforcements are only a métro ride away. With only 12 forwards on the roster after Artturi Lehkonen was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and Torrey Mitchell missed practice Wednesday with the flu, the Canadiens were expected to recall a player after the Rockets played Wednesday night. Coach Claude Julien had only three lines at practice because Max Pacioretty was also a no-show. Julien said Pacioretty was taking a therapy day, but said he expected the captain to play against the Coyotes.

4. You get what you pay for

The Coyotes’ general manager is 28-year-old analytics guru John Chayka, but so far the numbers aren’t adding up. One problem is the Coyotes, a perennial money loser, are unable or unwilling to spend money. They have the lowest payroll in the NHL at US$58.9 million and they would be below the floor if they weren’t on the hook for buying out Mike Ribeiro and Antoine Vermette and the salary retained when they traded Mike Smith to Calgary. The Coyotes have three goalies on their roster. The combined cap hit is $2.3 million.

5. Bright spot in the desert

Clayton Keller gives the Coyotes the early favourite for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, although he might get a run from Lindgren if the Montreal netminder continues to shine. Keller, who grew up in the St. Louis area, was drafted seventh overall in 2016, but elected to play at Boston University. This season, he’s the Coyotes’ leading scorer with 11 goals and six assists.