The importance of the events coinciding with team performance is two-fold. Firstly, it provides us with a possible target number within each metric indicative of team success. Secondly, it demonstrates that the events being tracked are impacting team success; reinforcing the accuracy of the system itself.
Even after 4 years of developing this data-generated player tracking system, the data tracked continues to open doors to knew metrics; providing new insights into the game I love.
PERCENTAGE OF EVEN-STRENGTH EVENTS IN EACH ZONE
This metric provides information on the amount of even-strength puck-possession events that are taking place in each zone. All events, including loose-puck recoveries are used in this calculation.
This season the Montreal Canadiens have engaged in 39.9% of their even-strength events in the offensive-zone. Another 41.8% of these events have taken place in the defensive-zone, while 18.3% have taken place in the neutral-zone.
The percentages change substantially depending on how the Habs have performed. In games where they produce a CF% above 50% (attempt more shots than are attempted on their own net), they engage in 44.5% of their events in the offensive-zone, when their CF% drops below 50% they engage in only 36.1% of events in the offensive-zone. Similarly, when their CF% is above 50% only 37.4% of events take place in the defensive-zone; compared to 45% when their CF% drops below 50%. Neutral-zone percentages shift only slightly in relation to CF%; as 0.7% more neutral-zone events occur in the neutral-zone when Montreal gives up more shot attempts than they produce.
In games where the Habs have out-chanced the opposition at even-strength 43.2% of events have occurred in the offensive-zone, with 39.2% occurring in the defensive-zone, and 17.6% in the neutral-zone. When the Habs have been out-chanced by the opposition at even-strength only 36.3% of events have occurred in the o-zone, while 44.8% have occurred in the defensive-zone, and 18.8% in the neutral-zone.
SEASON AVERAGES BY PLAYER
PERCENTAGE OF TEAM'S OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE EVENTS IN EACH ZONE
This metric is similar to the previous metric, except in the fact that it does not include loose-puck recoveries. It's also important to note that neutral-zone events were not included. Only events that occur with possession, or while directly attempting to remove possession from the opposition (stick-check, body-check, blocked pass, blocked shot, blueline hold) are included in this calculation.
Montreal has engaged in 48.9% of their offensive and defensive-touches this season while in the offensive-zone. Another 51.1% occurred in the defensive-zone.
The percentages also change substantially depending on the Canadiens performance. In games where the Habs CF% is above 50% they have engaged in 54.1% of their offensive and defensive-events in the offensive-zone, with only 45.9% occurring in the defensive-zone. When their CF% drops below 50%, Montreal has engaged in only 44.5% of these events in the offensive-zone, while 55.5% have taken place in the defensive-zone.
In games where the Habs have out-chanced the opposition at even-strength 52.4% of these events have occurred in the offensive-zone, with 47.8% occurring in the d-zone. In games where the Habs have been out-chanced only 44.7% of these events have occurred in the offensive-zone, while 55.3% have occurred in the defensive-zone.
SEASON AVERAGE BY PLAYER
This post includes only 2 of 12 metric that directly communicate possession and zone-time. Future posts will provide information on other metrics within this category.
