The strength of the Montreal Canadiens puck-possession game comes from their defensemen, while the strength of the Rangers possession-game exists within their forwards. Montreal defensemen have produced substantially-lower turnover-rates than Rangers d-men; particularly in the neutral-zone. While New York forwards have substantially-lower turnover-rate in the defensive-zone.
This post will focus on the turnover-rates in both the defensive, and neutral-zones. It will compare the turnover-rates from the Montreal Canadiens centremen, wingers, and defensemen with those from the New York Rangers centremen, wingers, and defensemen.
The Montreal Canadiens turnover-rates represent the data gathered from every regular season game in 2013-14, while the New York Rangers rates were tracked over the span of 10 non-consecutive games.
An updated list of all events tracked can be found here.
DEFENSIVE-ZONE
The Habs have a substantial advantage in turnover-rates among defensemen, while the Rangers have the advantage among forwards. Montreal defensemen turned the puck over 28.4% of the time they attempted a possession-play in the defensive-zone, while Rangers d-men produced a defensive-zone turnover-rate of 32.6%.
New York centremen had a defensive-zone turnover-rate of only 27.3%, while Habs centres gave up possession 31.3% of the time they had possession of the puck in the defensive-zone.
Montreal wingers had a d-zone turnover-rate of 31.5%, while Rangers wingers had a d-zone turnover-rate of 27.3%.
The Rangers' turnover-rates indicate that the Habs would benefit from focusing their forechecking on New York's defensemen, rather than their wingers. While Montreal's turnover-rates show that the Rangers should focus their forecheck on the Habs wingers; particularly along the half-wall.
NEUTRAL-ZONE
The Canadiens have a substantial advantage in neutral-zone turnover-rates, as Montreal wingers, centremen, and defensemen turned the puck over in the neutral-zone substantially less often than their Ranger counterparts.
Habs defensemen turned the puck over only 25.4% of the time they had possession of the puck in the neutral-zone, while New York defensmen had a neutral-zone turnover-rate of 46.2%.
Montreal centremen turned the puck over 29.3% of the time they attempted a puck-possession play in the neutral-zone, while Rangers centres had a neutral-zone turnover-rate of 41.5%.
Wingers turnover rates between the two teams are closer than other neutral-zone numbers, as the Habs turned the puck over 38.9% of the time they attempted a possession play in the neutral-zone; compared to a neutral-zone turnover-rate of 42.5% among Ranger wingers.
Montreal has a clear advantage in the neutral-zone; pointing to a strong likelihood that the Habs neutral-zone transition-game could develop into a big story over the course of the series.
Sports Magazine
