A player is credited with a loose-puck recovery whenever he gains control of a puck that was previously not under the control of either team.
Loose-puck recoveries are separated tracked by sub-categories depending on the zone.
In the offensive-zone they are categorized, and tracked as either loose-puck recoveries off of dump-ins, rebounds, face-offs, or loose puck recoveries off of in zone plays; this last category includes loose-pucks that occur off of broken plays, or as the product of a puck-battle.
OVERALL OFFENSIVE-ZONE LOOSE-PUCK RECOVERIES PER-60
This graph represents the total number of offensive-zone loose-puck recoveries each Montreal Canadiens player averaged per-60 minutes of even-strength ice-time. This graph includes the totals from all of the LPR sub-categories included in this post.
Nathan Beaulieu and Andrei Markov recovered more loose-pucks in the offensive-zone per-60 than any other Montreal Canadiens defenseman. Mike Weaver (a defensive-defenseman) recovered the fewest o-zone LPR's per-60.
Among centres, Lars Eller recovered the most o-zone loose-pucks per-60, while Ryan White recovered the fewest. Among wingers, Max Pacioretty recovered the most o-zone loose-pucks per-60; followed closely by Brendan Gallagher, and Micheal Bournival. Daniel Briere, George Parros, and Travis Moen recovered the fewest o-zone LPR's per-60 among players who played substantial minutes on the wing.
SUCCESSFUL IN-ZONE OFFENSIVE-ZONE LOOSE-PUCK RECOVERIES
This graph communicates the number of "in-zone" offensive-zone loose-puck recoveries each Habs player averaged per-60 minutes of even-strength ice-time. "In zone" LPR's include all loose-pucks that are recovered following a broken play, or as the product of a puck-battle. Players who score well within this category usually have strong hockey instincts, and good speed. they are also willing to take the punishment that comes with being the first player on the puck.
Again, Beaulieu and Markov recovered the most in-zone LPR's among defensemen, while Eller recovered the most among centres. Gallagher, Bournival and Pacioretty recovered the most "in-zone" loose-pucks per-60 among Habs wingers.
SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE-ZONE LOOSE-PUCK RECOVERIES OFF OF DUMP-INS
This graph communicates the number of offensive-zone loose-puck recoveries each player averaged as a result of a puck being dumped into the offensive-zone. Players who produce well within this category are usually the first players in-on-the-forecheck.
Max Pacioretty recovered far more offensive-zone loose-puck from dump-ins than any other Habs player, while Alex Galchenyuk averaged far-and-away the fewest dump-in puck recoveries per-60 among Habs forwards.
SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE-ZONE LOOSE-PUCK RECOVERIES OFF OF FACE-OFFS
This graph communicates the number of offensive-zone loose-puck recoveries off of face-offs each Habs player averaged per-60. A player is credited with an offensive-zone LPR off of a face-off when he is the first person to gain control of a puck immediately following a face-off. This is the first step toward establishing a system where we can credit the player who obtains possession, rather than just the centreman for won face-offs.
Players who produce well within this category, are players who have strong sticks, and collapse well during offensive-zone face-offs.
Among d-men, Markov recovered the most offensive-zone LPR's off of face-offs per-60, while Thomas Vanek, and Max Pacioretty averaged the most among forwards. Briere's low number is the product of playing some minutes at center.
OFFENSIVE-ZONE LOOSE-PUCK RECOVERIES OFF OF REBOUNDS
This graph relates the number of loose-puck recoveries off of offensive-zone rebounds each Habs player produced per-60 minutes of even-strength ice-time. Players who post strong numbers within this category are generally players who both have strong sticks, and position themselves well in front of the opposition net.
Markov and PK Subban recovered the most offensive-zone rebound LPR's per-60 among defensemen. Among forwards, the Habs top "rebounders" included Gallagher, Rene Bourque, Briere, Bournival, and Pacioretty. Dale Weise, Ryan White and Brandon Prust had the fewest rebounds among Habs forwards.
