Using trendlines to to expose potentially necessary adjustments
It is impossible to equate the Habs recent losing-streak to just one aspect of their play. It's a fools game; healthy fodder for radio talk-shows. The reality of the situation is that Montreal has lost each game for different reasons. They were outplayed in two games, but played well enough to win the other two.
That said, there are some concerning trends facing the team that are not specific to the recent losing streak.
Montreal is not getting as many even-strength scoring chance per-minute of even-strength ice-time as they were earlier in the season. In fact, the below graph shows a green trend line that can only be described as disturbing. The Habs are also giving up more scoring chances against per-minute played. But that trend is far less pronounced.
Montreal has also been unable to get as many shots through to the net as they were earlier in the season.
The lower total is not the product of more shots being blocked, or more shots missing the net; as the below graph reflects, the descending trend in the amount of shots getting through to the net is mirrored by the amount of attempted shots.
Montreal's defensemen are attempting more stretch-passes than they were earlier in the season. Granted, the trend is not extreme. But, an increase in stretch-passes are often a reflection of a team with an expanding gap between the forwards and defensemen. One of the Habs biggest adjustments last season involved controlling the gap, and increasing the amount of support in the defensive-zone; something not reflected in the below graph.
That said, the increase in stretch-passes has not had a negative impact on Montreal's success-rate when attempting passes in the defensive-zone.
Once again, it is impossible to equate the Habs recent losing-streak to one aspect of their play. I'll leave that to the experts. That said, trending can be used to shed light on aspects of the team's play that could, and should require adjustments.
