New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens: Zone Exits and Passing Stats

Travis Zajac (19/22, 6 SAG, 4 SG) had the best night of the forwards. Jaromir Jagr continues to be more accurate with his passing, resulting in a sterling 90.9% completion in the offensive zone. He finished 14/16 overall with 5 SAG and 1 SG. Ryane Clowe continues to round into form (and check out Mike's post here for a lengthy look at Clowe) with 12/14 passing, 2 SAG, and 1 SG. Michael Ryder even decided to pass the puck a bit, finishing 8/11 with 3 SAG and 1 SG.

Defensemen:

In terms of offensive production, there were shot attempts generated, but only a single shot generated. Marek Zidlicky (11/13) led the team once again with 3 SAG and 1 SG. Andy Greene (20/24) and Mark Fayne (19/22) each generated 2 shot attempts and were the busiest defensemen on the night for the Devils. Bryce Salvador had a decent passing game, going 12/13 across all zones and generating 1 shot attempt. Eric Gelinas and Jon Merrill failed to attempt a pass in the offensive zone, but were otherwise steady in their passing.

Passing Data Explained:

Pass: A reasonable and deliberate attempt to get the puck to a teammate which results in 1 of 3 outcomes: 1) Maintaining possession; 2) Allows for the recipient of the pass to make a “hockey move” (dump in, deflection, another pass etc.); 3) A shot attempt. When in doubt, common sense will prevail.

What you see above is a chart illustrating pass completions, pass attempts, and pass percentages for each player in all three zones. A pass that goes across a zone or two will be marked as occurring in the zone it originates from.

Each completed pass that results in a shot taken by a teammate counts as one “shot attempt generated” or “SAG” in the chart below. This is tracked to attempt to determine which teammates are better at generating opportunities to shoot. You’ll also see a “shot generated” or “SG” column to track the highest quality of shot attempts. The last column totals the percentage of shot attempts that result in shots on net.

Zone Exit Stats

Forwards:

4 turnovers on the night, and all 4 from the CBGB line. Not a great stat and it hampered their zone exits. Gionta still finished with a 60 PE%, but Bernier and Carter were terrible.

Collectively, the forwards, as most nights, carried the team’s PE% to the tune of 63.5%. Zubrus (57.1%) and Clowe (85.7%) led the group with 7 attempts each. Besides the CBGB line, Henrique, Ryder, Zajac, and Jagr were the other forwards to attempt at least 4 attempts and they all finished at 50% or above.

Defensemen:

Zone Exits Explained: Any attempt made by a player to advance the puck from their defensive zone. These actions fall into the below categories (as illustrated on the below chart).

Possession Exits:

P) Pass: When a player passes the puck out of the zone and it successfully finds a teammate.

(C) Carry: When a player skates with the puck out of the zone, maintaining possession.

Successful Zone Exits without Possession:

(FP) Failed Pass: When a player passes the puck out of the zone, but it fails to find its target.

(FC) Failed Carry: When a player skates with the puck out of the zone, but loses possession shortly thereafter.

(CH) Chip: When the player lifts the puck out of the zone or throws it off the boards and out.

(X) Other: Any action that results in a successful zone exit not already covered.

Unsuccessful Zone Exit:

(PT) Pass Turnover: When a player fails to clear the zone with a pass and it results in a turnover to the opposition.

(CT) Carry Turnover: When a player fails to skate out of the zone with the puck and loses possession.

(I) Icing: An attempt to clear results in icing the puck.

(T) Turnover: Any action that results in a turnover not already covered.

What reaction do you have to these stats? How do they compare with your viewing of the game?