New Jersey Devils at Ottawa Senators: Zone Exits and Passing Stats

A slow start led to a strong performance the rest of the way, yet the New Jersey Devils were undone by the shootout. Sound familiar? The team did have a solid passing game as 60% of the shot attempts generated via the team’s passing (SAG) registered as shot on goal (SG). Unfortunately, the Devils couldn’t cash in on their efficiency and left with a single point, not that it mattered. Let’s get to it.

Passing Stats

Forwards: Dainius Zubrus (12/16, 4 SAG, 3 SG) and Jaromir Jagr (18/25, 6 SAG, 4 SG) led the way with three and four shots generated apiece. Mike Sislo (2), Travis Zajac (2), and Tuomo Ruutu (2) were the other forwards to generate multiple shots. Altogether, the forwards saw 56.3% of their SAG figures result in shots, which is a solid rate.

Everyone except for Tim Sestito attempt a pass in each zone, as the Devils were quite active with the puck and attempted nearly 300 passes on the night. The rookie, Sislo, actually put together a decent game as he completed 12/14 passes as well as the aforementioned two shots generated. Steve Bernier was the only forward to go without generating a shot attempt. Damien Brunner, Patrik Elias, Sestito, and Bernier (obviously) were the only forwards to go without generating a shot.

Defensemen: Generating five shots on six attempts is remarkably efficient, but the Devils defense simply cannot generate the volume as a unit on a consistent basis. This game was only decent because Anton Volchenkov generated three shots on three attempts, something he hasn’t done all season. Marek Zidlicky and Jon Merrill each generated a shot and Adam Larsson generated one shot attempt.

Each blue liner attempted a pass in each zone, with Andy Greene the only defenseman unable to complete a pass in the offensive zone. Larsson did not have the strongest game if one wanted to pick out the subpar performer of the group, but he struggled more in the zone exit phase of the game than anything here.

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: 51 PE% with five turnovers. Stephen Gionta joined Zajac, Ruutu, Elias, and Jagr as each turned the puck over once. Jagr, Elias, Zubrus, and Michael Ryder all were below 50% in their possession exit rate. Apart from Ryder, the other three attempted sixteen of the group’s exits, so if they had been just slightly better—they usually are—it would have been a stronger game. Zajac led the way with ten attempts, six of which were with possession.

Defensemen: Larsson committed three turnovers off of poor passes, resulting in a 41.7 PE%. Oddly enough, Larsson, Zidlicky, Greene, and Mark Fayne each wound up attempting twelve exits each. Zidlicky (3) and Greene (2) each added some turnovers to the total, but other than Larsson’s bad showing, the group finished quite strong at 59 PE%. Merrill (71.4%) had the highest success rate, but Fayne had the highest (66.7%) among the four defensemen that led the group in attempts.

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