In games where the Montreal Canadiens created more even-strength scoring-chances than they gave up they engaged in 32.1% of their overall ES events with possession of the puck in the offensive-zone. To contrast that, in games where they were out-chanced by the opposition they engaged in 25.6% of their overall ES events with possession in the o-zone.
Using scoring-chances, rather than wins and losses when comparing percentages allows us to remove the noise of goaltending, powerplays, and penalty-kills; as each of those 3 aspects directly impact the game's result. Scoring-chances, on the other hand are influenced solely by the skaters on the ice. That said, during game the Habs won, they engaged in 29.7% of their overall events with puck-possession in the offensive-zone.; when they lost that percentage dropped to 25.8%.
PK Subban led all Habs defensemen, as he engaged in 18.1% of his overall events with possession of the puck in the offensive-zone. Other defensemen with high percentages include; Nathan Beaulieu and Andrei Markov. Mike Weaver engaged in the lowest percentage of his overall events with possession of the puck in the offensive-zone.
Among centres, David Desharnais had the top percentage in this category, while Ryan White produced the lowest percentage. Rene Bourque, Thomas Vanek, and Max Pacioretty produced the top percentages among wingers, while George Parros and Travis Moen produced the lowest percentages.
Not surprisingly, Vanek, Pacioretty, Desharnais, Beaulieu, Markov and Subban were also among the team leaders in scoring-chances created per-60.
