The Montreal Canadiens averaged 2.10 even-strength goals per-game during the 2013 season; an impressive improvement from 2011-12, when they averaged just 1.80 even-strength goals per-game. They averaged just over 2 more shots per-game in 2013, and their 5on5 for/against ratio went from 0.95 to 1.25 this past season.
Logically, a team that is more successful maintaining puck-possession in the offensive-zone should be able to produce more offense. That said, the Habs puck-possession numbers in 2013 weren't substantially-higher than those produced in 2011-12; at least not in the offensive-zone.
This can be explained a few ways;
First, not all offense is generated from the offensive-zone. Neutral-zone turnovers, and stretch passes that occur outside of the o-zone are just some examples of other ways offense is produced. Also, offensive-zone turnovers by way of an intercepted pass, or hit can also lead to possession in the offensive-zone.
Most important though seems to be, "true shooting percentage". This is a measurement of how many of a player's attempted shots (including those that are blocked or miss the net) result in goals. TSP seems to be the one metric that is consistently higher in 2013 than 2011-12.
OVERALL SUCCESS-RATES MAINTAINING POSSESSION IN OFFENSIVE-ZONE
The Habs actually produced a higher offensive-zone puck-possession success-rate in 2011-12 than they did this past season.
2011-122012-13
SUCCESS-RATE MAINTAINING O-ZONE POSSESSION56.6356.53SUCCESS-RATE MAINTAINING O-ZONE POSSESSION
2011-122012-13
SUCCESS-RATES MAINTAINING POSSESSION IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE
(BY POSITION)
As we can see, centremen were the only group of players with increased puck-possession success-rates this past season.
2011-12WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN2011-12
SUCCESS-RATES MAINTAING O-ZONE POSSESSION55.1759.2256.45SUCCESS-RATES MAINTAING O-ZONE POSSESSION
WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN
2012-13WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN2012-13
SUCCESS-RATES MAINTAING O-ZONE POSSESSION55.4859.3556.05SUCCESS-RATES MAINTAING O-ZONE POSSESSION
WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN
OFFENSIVE-ZONE SUCCESS-RATES BROKEN DOWN BY EVENT AND POSITION
Centremen were also the only group of players that produced a higher offensive-zone passing success-rate in 2013. Both wingers and centremen managed a higher success-rate when attempting to beat opposing players 1on1 (deke) in the offensive-zone, while only centremen were able to get a higher percentage of their attempted shots through to the net.
2011-12 WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN2011-12
SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A PASS IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE586167SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A PASS IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE
SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A DEKE IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE506173SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A DEKE IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE
SUCCESS-RATE GETTING ATTEMPTED SHOT THROUGH TO THE NET (NOT BLOCKED/ DON'T MISS THE NET)545338SUCCESS-RATE GETTING ATTEMPTED SHOT THROUGH TO THE NET (NOT BLOCKED/ DON'T MISS THE NET)
2012-13WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN2012-13
SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A PASS IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE576266SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A PASS IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE
SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A DEKE IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE525768SUCCESS-RATE WHEN ATTEMPTING A DEKE IN THE OFFENSIVE-ZONE
SUCCESS-RATE GETTING ATTEMPTED SHOT THROUGH TO THE NET (NOT BLOCKED/ DON'T MISS THE NET)545536SUCCESS-RATE GETTING ATTEMPTED SHOT THROUGH TO THE NET (NOT BLOCKED/ DON'T MISS THE NET)
OFFENSIVE-ZONE TENDENCIES WHILE IN POSSESSION OF THE PUCK
(BY POSITION)
As we can see, Montreal wingers were more likely to pass while in possession of the puck in the offensive-zone in 2012-13 than they were the season before. They were also less likely to shoot. These numbers point to an improved cycling team.
As we can see, centremen were less-likely to pass in 2012-13, but more likely to attempt to beat opposing players 1on1 (deke). Again, these numbers point to an improved cycling team.
Defensemen were also more likely to pass in 2012-13 than they were the previous year.They were also less-likely to shoot. These numbers point to a system change where the Habs focused on including defensemen in the cycle; both as potential passing options, and through a play whereby the Habs d-men would ring the puck around the wall from their defense-position, to a forward waiting down-low behind the opponent's net.
TRUE SHOOTING PERCENTAGE
At this point in my study, TSP seems to be the most improved puck-possession metric in the offensive-zone. Montreal wingers produced the smallest increase in true-shooting-percentage, while centremen and defensemen had substantial improvement. As a group, Habs centremen averaged 0.73 goals per-game in 2012-13; compared to 0.64 goals per-game in 2011-12.
Over the course of a full season, this improvement in TSP, combined with an increase in ES shots per-game, would result in the Habs scoring 17 more even-strength goals.
2011-12WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN 2011-12
SHOT ATTEMPTS19118231134SHOT ATTEMPTS
GOALS933714GOALS
TRUE SHOOTING %4.874.501.23TRUE SHOOTING %
WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN
2012-13WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN 2012-13
SHOT ATTEMPTS1162430676SHOT ATTEMPTS
GOALS572412GOALS
TRUE SHOOTING %4.915.581.78TRUE SHOOTING %
WINGERSCENTRESD-MEN
