Habs vs. Boston 4-2 Win October 29, 2011

Plekanec leads team on powerplay and at even-strength


The Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins by a score of 4-2 Saturday night. The Habs made the Bruins pay for a lack of discipline by scoring 2 powerplay goals.


 What is this? 
I track each and every play during a game. I input the result into a database, allowing me to track players' successes or failures. I average approximately 1100 points of data per-game (when covering an entire team), or about 70 points of data per-player. Most players average just over 3 events per minute of ice-time. Whether it's an incomplete or complete pass-attempt, a won or lost race to a loose puck, a won or lost puck-battle, etc.; each result is tracked for each player. The results are also tracked by zone (offensive/defensive/neutral) and by situation (even-strength/powerplay/short-handed) and inputted into the database as such. This allows us to track how each player performs in each zone, and in each manpower situation.  Click the FAQ tab above for further information.

Twelve players had overall grades above their season average. Tomas Plekanec had the top grade, followed closely by Davis Desharnais and Hal Gill. Other players with grades above 70 include
Mike Cammalleri, Josh Gorges, Travis Moen, Max Pacioretty, and Yannick Weber.

Petteri Nokelainen had the lowest overall grade, but did win 56% of his faceoffs. Raphael Diaz was the only other player with a grade below 60.

-------------------------------

Eleven players had overall risk/reward ratings above their season average. David Desharnais had the top overall risk/reward rating. Hal Gill rebounded from some low ratings in recent games to earn the second-best overall risk/reward rating. Plekanec was the only other player with an overall ratings above 1.50.

Nokelainen had the lowest overall risk/reward rating, while Diaz had the second-lowest. Both Nokelainen and Diaz had trouble completing passes coming out of the defensive-zone.

------------------------------------

Ten players had EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward ratings above their season average. David Desharnias had the top ES rating, followed by Hal Gill. Desharnais had impressive numbers in the offensive and defensive-zones, while Gill kept things simple; saving his best work for the defensive-zone.

Matching their overall ratings, Nokelainen and Diaz also produced the lowest EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward ratings.

--------------------------------------

The powerplay produced half the team's offense. As such, only 5 players had EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. David Desharnais and Gionta had the top o-zone ratings. Desharnais won 3 of 4 puck-battles, while Gionta won all 3 o-zone puck-battles he engaged in.

Weber had the lowest EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward rating. Weber lost his only o-zone puck-battle and had 2 of his shots blocked by opposing forwards. Other players with negative o-zone ratings include Subban, Spacek and Eller. Subban completed only 50% of his o-zone passes, and failed to get 4 of his 5 attempted shots on net.

-------------------------------------

An incredible 14 players had EVEN-STRENGTH defensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Gill had the top d-zone rating, followed closely by Yannick Weber. Weber won 3 of 4 puck-battles and completed 8 of 9 passes. While Gill completed 10 of 14 passes, and 3 of 4 dump-outs. Subban was the only other players with a d-zone rating above 1.00.

Blunden and Kostitsyn had the lowest d-zone risk/reward ratings. Blunden lost his only d-zone puck-battle, while Kostitsyn lost 3 of 4 d-zone puck-battles.

-----------------------------

Six players had EVEN-STRENGTH neutral-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Erik Cole had far-and-away the top neutral-zone rating. Cole successfully dumped the puck into the offensive-zone on 4 occasions, while winning 2 n-zone puck-races, and completing 2 of 3 n-zone passes. Other players with high n-zone ratings include Gorges, Eller, Subban, and Pacioretty.

Gionta and Darche were the only 2 players with negative neutral-zone ratings. Gionta was unable to complete either of his neutral-zone pass-attempts, while Darche failed to block 2 n-zone cross-ice passes that traveled under his stick.

--------------------------------

The Canadiens were only short-handed on 2 occasions, so the SH data is limited. Gorges and Gill both had short-handed ratings above their season average, while Plekanec and Gionta had SH ratings in the negative. Plekanec was unable to block passing lanes, while Gionta had trouble clearing the defensive-zone.

-------------------------

Three players had powerplay ratings above their season average. Plekanec had the top PP rating, followed by Gionta and Cammalleri. Plekanec completed 20 of 23 passes, while Cammalleri completed 16 of 20.  Lars Eller had the lowest PP rating, but had only 16 seconds of powerplay ice-time.

Habs vs. Boston 2-1 Win October 27, 2011

 Gionta and Cammalleri lead the way


The Montreal Canadiens battled hard through a tough road game. Eventually beating the Boston Bruins by a score of 2-1. Despite giving up an unusual goal, Carey Price was outstanding; stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced.


 What is this? 
I track each and every play during a game. I input the result into a database, allowing me to track players' successes or failures. I average approximately 1100 points of data per-game (when covering an entire team), or about 70 points of data per-player. Most players average just over 3 events per minute of ice-time. Whether it's an incomplete or complete pass-attempt, a won or lost race to a loose puck, a won or lost puck-battle, etc.; each result is tracked for each player. The results are also tracked by zone (offensive/defensive/neutral) and by situation (even-strength/powerplay/short-handed) and inputted into the database as such. This allows us to track how each player performs in each zone, and in each manpower situation.  Click the FAQ tab above for further information.

Thirteen players had overall grades (even-strength, powerplay and short-handed ice-time combined). Brian Gionta rebounded from some recent low-grades to earn the top overall grade. He was followed closely by Mike Cammalleri and Michael Blunden. Ten players earned grades above 70.

Andrei Kostitsyn had the lowest grade, and was the only player with a grade below 60. Other players with low grades include Max Pacioretty, Petteri Nokelainen and Hal Gill.

-------------------------

Risk/reward does not take into account traditional plus/minus or point totals. It is for this reason that we see players with higher overall grades, actually having lower risk/reward ratings compared to some teammates. 

Eleven players had overall ratings above their season average. Mike Cammalleri had an impressive overall risk/reward rating (including ES, PP and SH ice-time). Predictabely number 13's best work occurred in the offensive-zone, but his work in the defensive-zone was well above his season average. Other players with high overall risk/reward ratings include Michael Blunden and PK Subban.

Kostitsyn had the lowest overall risk/reward rating. Kostitsyn had a much lower offensive-zone rating than usual, as he once again struggled completing passes. Other players with low overall ratings include Pacioretty and Nokelainen.

---------------------------

EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward rating takes into account only those events that take place while teams are playing at even-strength. As such, risk/reward ratings at even-strength are only calculated using even-strength ice-time. 

Nine players had EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward ratings above their season average. Mike Cammalleri had the highest ES rating, and was the only player with a rating above 2.00. Other players with high ratings at even-strength include Spacek, Blunden, Subban and Eller.

Kostitsyn also produced the lowest ES risk/reward rating. His rating was only slightly lower than Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty struggled in the defensive-zone; producing a rating of 0.00. Expressed differently, this rating shows that number 67 made only 1 successful play for every 1 mistake or lost puck-battle.

-----------------------

Eleven players had EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average; six of those were forwards. Eric Cole had the top offensive-zone risk/reward rating, and would likely have produced the top overall rating if not for some difficulty winning puck battles in the defensive-zone. Cole won 4 of 5 o-zone puck-battles and completed 2 of 3 o-zone passes. Other players with high o-zone ratings include Cammalleri, Subban, Moen and Blunden.

Kostitsyn had the lowest offensive-zone risk/reward. Number 46 completed only 4 of 11 o-zone passes and had 2 of his 3 shot attempts either blocked or miss the net entirely. Other players with low o-zone ratings include Spacek and Gill. That said, Spacek and Gill are not meant to have high o-zone risk/reward ratings.

--------------------------

Twelve players had EVEN-STRENGTH defensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Lars Eller continued his standout play in the defensive-zone, as he earned the top defensive-zone risk/reward rating. This is the first-time a forward has managed the top d-zone rating. Eller won 3 of 5 d-zone puck-battles, blocked 4 Boston passes and completed 5 of 7 of his own attempted passes. Other players with high d-zone ratings include Spacek, Diaz, Subban, Desharnais, Gorges and Nokelainen.

Erik Cole had the lowest EVEN-STRENGTH defensive-zone risk/reward rating, and was the only player with a d-zone rating in the negative. A negative rating shows that a player made more "bad plays" than "good plays" in a particular zone. Cole lost 4 of 5 d-zone puck-battles, and completed only 1 of 3 attempted passes. Also of note; the Habs produced their lowest d-zone passing percentage of the season during the game; a possible nod to the Bruins intense forechecking.

------------------------------

A player can not only earn a good EVEN-STRENGTH neutral-zone risk/reward rating by winning neutral-zone puck battles and completing neutral-zone passes. N-zone ratings also take into account puck-management. As such a player also earns positive n-zone events by successfully dumping or carrying the puck deep into the offensive-zone. 

Only 4 players had n-zone ratings above their season average. This low rating was the result of multiple neutral-zone turnovers (by both teams). Mike Cammalleri had the top n-zone rating, followed by Mathieu Darche, and Blunden.

Nokelainen had the lowest n-zone rating and was the only player with a neutral-zone risk/reward rating in the negative. Hal Gill almost joined Nokelainen in the negative, but Gill's n-zone rating came in at 0.00; both Gill and Nokelainen were unable to complete any neutral-zone passes.

---------------------------

Short-handed risk/reward takes into account only those events that take place while a team is short-handed. Short-handed ice-time is also used to calculate a player's SH risk/reward.

Nine player had short-handed risk/reward ratings above their season average. Despite a fluke powerplay goal, the PK unit worked well; giving up only 3 shots on net. Desharnais had the top short-handed risk/reward, followed by Darche and Diaz.

----------------------------

Only 3 players had powerplay risk/reward ratings above their season average. Like the Bruins, the Canadiens managed just 3 shots on net while playing with the man-advantage. Only 65% of the events noted while the Canadiens were on the powerplay occured in the offensive-zone. This shows that the Habs had trouble setting up in the offensive-zone. By comparison, Eighty-three percent of the powerplay events against the Flyers occurred in the offensive-zone. Event totals in each zone are a strong indicator of territorial advantage.

Mike Cammalleri had the top powerplay risk/reward rating, and completed all of his PP pass-attempts. Other players with high PP ratings include Darche and Cole. Pacioretty was the only player with a negative PP risk/reward rating. That said, number 67 had less than a minute of powerplay ice-time.

Habs vs. Philadelphia 5-1 win October 26, 2011

Cole with superstar even-strength numbers

The Montreal Canadiens finally won their first home game of the season. Beating the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 5-1. Carey Price made the right saves at the right time, while Erik Cole's performance at even-strength was at a level rarely seen.


What is this? 
I track each and every play during a game. I input the result into a database, allowing me to track players' successes or failures. Whether it's an incomplete or complete pass-attempt, a won or lost race to a loose puck, a won or lost puck-battle, etc.; each result is tracked for each player. The results are also tracked by zone (offensive/defensive/neutral) and by situation (even-strength/powerplay/short-handed) and inputed into the database as such. This allows us to track how each player performs in each zone, and in each manpower situation.  Click the FAQ tab above for further information.

Fifteen Canadiens had overall grades above their season average; not surprising, considering the 5-1 win. Ten players had grades above 70. Tomas Plekanec and David Desharnais tied for the top overall grade. Josh Gorges was the only other player with a grade above 80. Erik Cole was far-and-away the best Montreal player at even-strength, but Plekanec and Desharnais' work on the powerplay pushed their overall grades above Cole's.

Hall Gill had the lowest overall grade. Gill has struggled the last 2 games. Other players with grades below 60 include Travis Moen and Michael Blunden.

---------------------------

Twelve players had overall risk/reward ratings above their season average.  Erik Cole had far-and-away the top overall risk/reward. Cole rode some incredible work at even-strength to a rating only otherwise produced by top draft-picks playing junior hockey. Other players with overall risk/reward ratings above 2.00 include David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec and PK Subban.

Hal Gill had the lowest overall risk/reward rating. Gill struggled at even-strength; particularly in the neutral-zone. He also didn't produce his usual high ratings in the defensive-zone and on the penalty-kill. Gill's ratings in each of the last 2 games have been substantially below his season average. Other players with low risk/reward ratings include Moen and Blunden.

-------------------------

 Twelve players had EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward ratings above their season average. Erik Cole's EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward rating is the best I've ever seen; bar none. Expressed differently, Cole's rating shows that he made 4 successful plays for every 1 mistake or lost puck-battle. Cole's best work was in the offensive-zone. But, his work in the neutral and defensive-zones also deserve praise. Other players with  ES risk/reward ratings above 2.00 include Plekanec, Desharnais, Subban and Lars Eller.

Hal Gil had the lowest even-strength risk/reward rating. Gill's rating was the victim of a negative neutral-zone risk/reward rating. Micheal Blunden had the second-lowest ES rating. That said, Blunden's rating was actually above his limited season-average.

 ------------------------------

 Seven players had ES offensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Surprisingly low, considering a 5-1 win. That said, players who did produce above average ratings produced substantially above-average ratings. Cole had an incredible EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward rating of 3.16. Expressed differently, Cole's rating shows that he made over 3 successful plays for every 1 mistake or lost puck-battle. Helping his grade even more is that he had only 9 minutes and 11 seconds of even-strength ice-time, while producing an incredible 3.26 offensive-zone events per-minute. In short, this shows that the vast majority of time Cole was on the ice the puck was in the offensive-zone. Other players with high offensive-zone risk/reward ratings include Cammalleri and Desharnais. Cammelleri completed 9 of 13 attempted passes, while Desharnais was successful with 6 of 7 attempted passes.

Micheal Blunden had the lowest even-strength offensive-zone risk/reward rating. Number 45 was one of 3 players with o-zone ratings in the negative. Other players with ES offensive-zone risk/reward ratings in the negative include Gionta and Diaz. Gionta won only 1 of 3 o-zone puck-battles, and completed only 2 of 5 o-zone pass-attempts. Gionta's last positive offensive-zone risk/reward rating came in the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

 --------------------------

 Twelve players had EVEN-STRENGTH defensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. PK Subban had the top defensive-zone risk/reward rating, followed by Eller, Gorges and Desharnais. Eller and Desharnais' d-zone success is especially impressive, as forwards are rarely among the team leaders in d-zone risk/reward ratings. Eller led the team in successful d-zone passes with 13. He also blocked 4 opposition passes, and won 10 d-zone puck-races. Desharnais had a perfect night in the defensive-zone, as he produced zero negative events.

Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri had the lowest defensive-zone risk/reward ratings. Gionta lost 2 of 3 d-zone puck battles, and failed to complete any of his 3 d-zone pass-attempts. Cammalleri competed 2 of 4 pass-attempts, but failed to get his stick on 2 "blockable" passes.

-----------------------------

 Nine players had EVEN-STRENGTH neutral-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Plekanec had the top neutral-zone rating, followed by Gionta and Weber. Plekanec completed all 6 of his n-zone pass-attempts, while also winning his 3 n-zone puck-battles. Giontadeak) on 2 separate occasions, and blocked 2 n-zone passes.

 Gill had the lowest n-zone risk/reward rating, and was the only players with a negative neutral-zone rating. Gill lost all of his n-zone puck-battles. Other players with low n-zone ratings include Gill's defense partner Raphael Diaz.

-------------------------

 Seven players had short-handed risk/reward ratings above their season average. Including Jaroslav Spacek, who's SH rating was above his season average even though it was in the negative. Weber had the top short-handed risk/reward ratings, and has recovered nicely from an early-season negative SH rating. Other players with solid short-handed risk/reward ratings include Subban and Plekanec.

Darche and Desharnais had the lowest short-handed ratings, but had only 22 seconds of short-handed ice-time each. Other players with negative short-handed ratings include Moen, Nokelainen and the aforementioned Spacek.

-------------------------

 Seven players had powerplay risk/reward ratings above their season average. Mathieu Darche proved his powerplay worth with the top powerplay rating. Darche won all 3 PP puck-battles he engaged in, while also recouping 2 loose-pucks. Other players with high PP ratings include Plekanec and Cammalleri. Plekanec completed 11 offensive-zone passes while on the powerplay, while also blocking 2 attempts by the opposition to clear the zone. Cammalleri kept his PP passes low-risk, and the results were postive. Number 13 completed all 5 of his PP passes, while recouping 2 loose-pucks.

Eller had the lowest PP rating, but had only 10 seconds of powerplay ice-time. Among players with substantial PP ice-time, Gionta, Pacioretty and Cole had the lowest PP ratings. That said, their ratings were still well above average.

Vs. Florida 2-1 Loss October 24, 2011

The Montreal Canadiens ran into another hot goalie Monday night. The Habs lost 2-1 to the Florida Panthers, despite throwing 41 shots at Jacob Markstrom; including 12 on the powerplay.



What is this? 
I track each and every play during a game. I input the result into a database, allowing me to track players' successes or failures. Whether it's an incomplete or complete pass-attempt, a won or lost race to a loose puck, a won or lost puck-battle, etc.; each result is tracked for each player. The results are also tracked by zone (offensive/defensive/neutral) and by situation (even-strength/powerplay/short-handed) and imputed into the database as such. This allows us to track how each player performs in each zone, and in each manpower situation.  Click the FAQ tab above for further information.

Eleven Montreal Canadiens posted grades above their season average. Max Pacioretty left the game early with an injury, but still posted the top overall grade. Other players with grades above 70 include Tomas Plekanec, Josh Gorges, David Desharnais, Mathieu Darche, Yannick Weber and PK. Subban. 

Newly recalled Michael Blunden had the lowest overall grade. Other players with grades below 60 include  Petteri Nokelainen and Hal Gill.

--------------------

Seven players had overall risk/reward ratings above their season average. Pacioretty had the top rating, followed by Subban and Desharnais. Pacioretty and Subban had strong even-strength numbers, while Desharnais' grade was helped out by some strong work on the powerplay. Subban's overall risk/reward had to overcome a tough night on the penalty-kill, as number 76 had the lowest short-handed risk/reward of the night.

Blunden had the lowest overall risk/reward. Expressed differently, Blunden's rating shows that he made only 1 successful play for every 1 mistake, or lost puck-battle. Gill had the second-lowest overall rating. Gill was among the leaders short-handed, but struggled 5on5.

---------------

Eight players had EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward ratings above their season average. Pacioretty had the top even-strength risk/reward, followed closely by Subban. Both players put up impressive numbers in all 3 zones. Other players with solid ES ratings include Gorges, Kostitsyn, Weber and Lars Eller.

Blunden had the lowest even-strength risk/reward, followed by Hal Gill. Gill simply tried to do too much., as many of his negative events occurred in the offensive-zone. Other players with low even-strength risk/reward ratings include Erik Cole and Raphael Diaz.

---------------

Six players posted EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Two of those players were defensemen. Andrei Kostitsyn had the top o-zone risk/reward rating, followed by Pacioretty, Eller and Desharnais. Kostitsyn won 6 of 8 o-zone puck-battles, and managed 4 shots on goal. Number 46's rating would have been even higher if not for his 47%  passing success-rate. Desharnais completed all 9 of his o-zone passes, while Pacioretty and Eller had passing success-rates of 78% and 75%, respectively.

Newcomers Blunden and Nokelainen had the lowest offensive-zone risk/reward ratings. Nokelainen was unable to block 3 opposition passes, while Blunden was unable to win an offensive-zone puck-battle. Keep in mind that more data is needed on both players; particularly Nokelainen.

---------------

Ten players had EVEN-STRENGTH defensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average; including 3 defensemen. PK Subban had the top d-zone risk/reward rating, followed by Weber and Gorges. Subban won 4 of 5 d-zone puck-battles and completed 19 of 27 d-zone passes. Gorges and Weber both won 6 d-zone puck-battles, while recouping 10 loose pucks. Pacioretty had the top d-zone risk/reward among forwards. Number 67 won his only d-zone puck-battle and completed all 4 of his d-zone pass-attempts.

Blunden must improve his work in the defensive-zone if he hopes to stick with the big club. Number 45 had far-and-away the lowest d-zone risk/reward rating in the game. He lost his only d-zone puck-battle, lost 2 loose-puck races, and failed with his only pass-attempt. Other players with low d-zone risk/reward ratings include Andrei Kostitsyn, and Hal Gill. Number 75 struggle both clearing the defensive-zone and blocking passing lanes; two activities at which he usually excels.

---------------

Eight players had EVEN-STRENGTH neutral-zone risk/reward numbers above their season averages. Blunden made up for his work in the defensive and offensive-zones, as he posted the top neutral-zone risk/reward rating. Blunden was particularly strong in the n-zone during the preseason, so his work here is not a surprise. His best assets in the n-zone are his speed recouping loose pucks, and his ability (and willingness) to dump the puck in-deep. Other players with solid ES neutral-zone risk/reward ratings include Pacioretty, Nokelainen and Plekanec.

Erik Cole had the lowest neutral-zone risk/reward rating. As much as Gill's rating in the d-zone is an anomaly, Cole's rating in the n-zone is equally so. Cole lost 2 of 3 n-zone puck-battles and failed with 50% of his pass-attempts. Other players with low n-zone ratings include Gionta, Kostitsyn, Diaz, Gill and Eller.

---------------

Only 2 players had short-handed risk/reward ratings above their season average, while 4 players had SH ratings in the negative. Jaroslav Spacek returned from injury and managed the top short-handed risk/reward. Despite the strong numbers, Spacek'sSpacek played only 18 short-handed seconds in the game. Gorges was the only other players with a short-handed risk/reward rating above his season average. Number 26 blocked 3 passes, and recouped 4 loose-pucks.

PK Subban remains one of the Habs' top penalty-killers. That said, Subban posted the lowest SH risk/reward rating against Florida. But, like Spacek,  Subban's short-handed ice-time was limited to 28 seconds. Among players with substantial short-handed minutes, Mike Cammalleri had the lowest rating. Number 13 lost 2 short-handed puck-battles, and failed to block 3 shots. Failed shot-blocks is a risk a team takes when they use their top offensive-players to kill penalties.

-------------------------

Eight players had powerplay risk/reward ratings above their season average. Diaz had the top powerplay risk/reward rating, followed by Desharnais and Plekanec. Puck movement is the key to the Habs powerplay, and all 3 of these players excelled in this regard. Plekanec completed 8 of 9 passes, Desharnais completed all 6 of his attempts, while Diaz led the pack; completing all 9 of his powerplay pass-attempts.

Gionta and Cammalleri had the lowest powerplay risk/reward ratings. Gionta completed all 3 of his passes, but was unable to win any puck-battles. Cammalleri continued to struggle completing passes on the powerplay. Number 13 was successful with only 7 of his 11 powerplay pass-attempts, and continues to attempt low-percentage passes from the half-wall; an absolute exercise in futility and frustration. Cammelleri (60%), Gomez (63%) and Cole (60%) are the only 3 players with powerplay passing percentages below 70%.

Vs. Toronto 5-4 OT Loss, October 22, 2011

The Montreal Canadiens are still looking for their first home win of the season after losing 6-5 to the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night. The Habs powerplay produced another goose egg, while the PK unit gave up 2 goals against.

------------------

Seven Canadiens had overall risk/reward ratings higher than their season average, while only one produced a rating in the negative. 

Andrei Kostitsyn had the top overall risk/reward in the game. Number 46 produced some strong special team minutes. Other players with overall risk/reward ratings above 1.50 include Travis Moen and Raphael Diaz.

Andreas Engqvist had the lowest overall risk/reward. Number 63 also had the distinction of being the only player with an overall risk/reward rating in the negative; a negative risk/reward rating indicates that a player made more failed attempts at plays such as passes and puck-battles than successful attempts. Other players with low overall risk/reward ratings include Mathieu Darche, Erik Cole and Brian Gionta.

---------

Eight Habs had overall grades above their season average. Andrei Kostitsyn had the top overall grade, followed closely by Travis Moen.  Mike Cammalleri and Rapael Diaz were the only other players with overall grades above 70.

Engqvist's overall grade of 40 was one of the lowest grades of the season. Other players with overall grades below 60 include Gionta, Darche, Palushaj and Cole.

----------

Nine players had EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward ratings above their season average, while 2 players had even-strength risk/reward ratings in the negative.

Max Pacioretty had the top EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward rating. Number 67 would have produced the top overall rating if not for some poor play on the powerplay. Pacioretty's grade was buoyed by his work in the defensive-zone. Other players with high even-strength risk/reward ratings include Diaz, Gorges and Cammalleri. Diaz and Gorges produced their best numbers in the defensive-zone, while Cammalleri's rating was the product of his work in the offensive-zone.

Mathieu Darche and Andreas Engqvist had even-strength risk/reward ratings in the negative. Surprising results, since both players are usually among the team leaders at even-strength. Their low grades came from substantial struggles in the offensive-zone.

----------

Events per minute are not included in this article, despite the indication in the chart titles. I'm going to use the information for events-per-minute differently in upcoming articles.

Seven players had EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Four other players had o-zone risk/rewards in the negative.

Andrei Kostitsyn had the top even-strength offensive-zone risk/reward rating; slightly ahead of Lars Eller. Kostitsyn had 2 shots on net, while winning 2 of 3 o-zone puck-battles. He was also able to recoup 7 loose pucks. Eller won only 1 of 4 o-zone puck-battles, but completed 6 of 9 o-zone passes, while also beating opposing players 1on1 (deaks) 3 times.

Engqvist had the lowest o-zone risk/reward. Other players with o-zone risk/reward ratings in the negative include Darche, Cole and Desharnais. Engqvist was unable to complete either of his pass-attempts, while Darche lost both his o-zone puck-battles. Cole lost 2 o-zone puck-battles, while failing to beat opposing players 1on1 (deak) 4 times.  Desharnais lost 3 of 4 loose-puck races and was unsuccessful with 2 of his 3 pass-attempts.

----------

Only 6 Habs had EVEN-STRENGTH defensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. Five of those six players were forwards. Four players had d-zone risk/reward ratings in the negative.

Raphael Diaz had the top defensive-zone risk/reward rating, followed by PK Subban and Josh Gorges. Diaz completed 12 of 19 d-zone pass-attempts, while blocking 2 passes and 2 shots. Subban completed 13 of 17 d-zone passes, but lost 4 of 6 d-zone puck-battles. Gorges completed 11 of 14 d-zone passes, while winning 6 of 7 puck-battles. Number 26's rating would have been higher, if not for his failure to block 4 passes.

Aaron Palushaj had the lowest even-strength defensive-zone risk/reward. Other players with d-zone ratings in the negative include Engqvist, Gionta and Plekanec. Engqvist lost his only d-zone puck-battle and completed only 50% of his d-zone passes. Gionta completed only 1 of 4 d-zone passes, while the usually solid Plekanec competed only 1 of 5 d-zone passes.

---------------------

Nine players had EVEN-STRENGTH neutral-zone risk/rewards above their season averages. No player had a neutral-zone risk/reward in the negative.

David Desharnais had the top ES neutral-zone risk/reward rating, followed by Aaron Palushaj. Desharnais won 4 n-zone puck-battles and completed 4 of 6 n-zone passes. Palushaj played limited minutes, but still managed 3 successful dump-ins.

Alexei Emelin had the lowest even-strength neutral-zone risk/reward rating, followed by Max Pacioretty. Emelin had only 3 n-zone events, while Pacioretty missed 2 n-zone passes, and failed to successfully dump the puck deep into the offensive-zone twice.

----------

Seven players had short-handed risk/reward ratings above their season average, while 2 players had SH ratings in the negative.

Andrei Kostitsyn had the top SH risk/reward rating but played only 8 seconds. Players with substantial short handed minutes and high risk/reward ratings include Moen and Eller. Players with substantial minutes and low SH ratings include Desharnais and Engqvist.

Subban and Weber won the most short-handed defensive-zone puck-battles (3), while Subban and Gill had the most SH dump-outs; six and three respectively.  

----------

Seven players had POWERPLAY risk/reward ratings above their season average, while 1 players had a powerplay risk/reward rating in the negative.

Gorges had the top PP rating, but played limited minutes. Among players with substantial ice-time Diaz, Weber, Kostitsyn and Plekanec had the best PP risk/reward ratings. Diaz competed all 6 of his PP passes, while Weber completed 4 of 5. Plekanec completed 9 of 10 PP passes, while Kostitsyn had more powerplay events in the neutral-zone than in the offensive-zone.

Max Pacioretty had a powerplay risk/reward rating in the negative. Quite surprising since number 67's average PP rating is among the highest. Pacioretty completed only 2 of 5 PP passes, missed 1 powerplay pass, and failed to hit the net with his only shot opportunity.  Other players with powerplay risk/reward ratings well below their season average include Subban, Desharnais and Eller.

Vs. Pittsburgh 3-1 Loss October 20, 2011

Habs manage team's lowest risk/reward rating of season


The Montreal Canadiens powerplay once again failed to produce, as the Habs lost 3-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The overall team grade of 62 was 6 percentage-points below their season average. The only bright spot was on the penalty-kill, where 6 players had risk/reward ratings above their season-averages.

Only six players posted overall grades higher than their season average. Mike Cammalleri returned from an injury to post the team's lowest grade. Erik Cole and David Desharnais had grades just slightly better than Cammalleri. Lars Eller had the top grade. Other players with grades above 70 include Hal Gill, Yannick Weber, Andreas Engqvist, and Mathieu Darche.

----------

Eller also managed the top overall risk/reward rating. Eller's rating was double his season average. Expressed differently Eller's rating shows that he made 3 successful plays for every 1 mistake or lost puck-battle. The only other player with a risk/reward ratings above 2.00 was Hal Gill. There were points in the game, particularly on the penalty-kill and later in the game, where Gill seemed to be the only player working hard enough to produce any level of success.

Mike Cammalleri had the lowest risk/reward. Erik Cole's risk/reward rating was only slightly better. Other players with exceptionally low ratings include Brian Gionta and David Desharnais.

---------

As a team, the Habs managed their lowest EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward rating of the season.
Eller earned the top EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward rating, followed by Engqvist. No other players had risk/reward ratings above 2.00. Eller earned his best rating in the offensive-zone, while Engqvist's best numbers were produced in the neutral-zone. Engqvist's had a perfect night in the neutral-zone; producing 10 successul plays and zero mistakes or lost puck-battles.

Brian Gionta had the lowest even-strength risk/reward rating. Gionta's r/r rating of 0.00 indicates that he made only 1 successful play for every 1 mistake or lost puck-battle. Other players with low even-strength risk/reward ratings include Travis Moen and Erik Cole.

Despite, or possibly due to an early exit, Scott Gomez engaged in the most events per-minute played. Other players with high event averages include Eller and Gill.

---------

The Habs EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward rating was only slightly lower than their season average. showing once again just how important it is for the Habs to find success on the powerplay. Eight players had ES offensive-zone risk/reward ratings above their season average. That said, four of those players were defensemen.

Lars Eller had the top o-zone risk/reward rating. Eller's rating was twice his season average, and substantially better than any other player. He competed 6 of 9 o-zone passes, while beating opposing players 1on1 (deaks) 5 times.

Brian Gionta had the lowest even-strength offensive-zone risk/reward rating. Gionta was unable to win any of his 3 o-zone puck-battles, and failed to hit the net with 3 shots. Other players with low o-zone risk/reward ratings include PK Subban, Yannick Weber, Andreas Engqvist, and the usually solid Tomas Plekanec.

----------

Montreal's EVEN-STRENGTH defensive-zone risk/reward rating was substantially lower than their season average. Nine players had d-zone ratings below their season average. In fact, four players had negative defensive-zone risk/reward ratings including Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta, Travis Moen and Erik Cole.

PK Subban had the top d-zone risk/reward rating. Slightly better than both Hal Gill and Yannick Weber.

----------

The Canadiens EVEN-STRENGTH neutral-zone risk/reward rating was also below their season average. Engqvist's perfect night in the neutral-zone earned him the top n-zone r/r rating. The neutral-zone was the only place Plekanec managed a solid rating. In fact, his n-zone rating against the Penguins was higher than his season average.

Mike Cammalleri had the lowest neutral-zone risk/reward rating. Cammalleri won only 33% of his n-zone puck-battles, and was not able to complete either of his 2 n-zone pass-attempts. Other players with low neutral-zone risk/reward ratings include Darche, Cole, and Alexei Emelin.

----------

Despite not allowing a powerplay goal, the Habs short-handed risk/reward rating against the Penguins was actually lower than their season average. Six players had r/r ratings above their season average. Mathieu Darche and Raphael Diaz had the top short-handed risk/reward ratings, but played limited minutes. Among players with substantial PK minutes, Hal Gill and Travis Moen produced the top numbers. Gill won 5 of 6 PK puck-battles and completed 3 passes and 2 dump-outs. Moen blocked 1 pass, while also recouping 3 loose pucks. In fact, Moen had a perfect night on the PK, as he was successful with all 8 of his SH events.

Mike Cammalleri continued his tough return, as he produced the lowest PK risk/reward rating. Other players with short-handed ratings in the negative include Andreas Engqvist and PK Subban. Subban uncharacteristically lost all 3 of his short-handed puck-battles.

The Habs struggles on the powerplay continued. The team powerplay risk/reward rating was well below the season average. Mike Cammalleri and David Desharnais struggled the most on the powerplay. Cammalleri killed numerous powerplay setups with low-percentage passes in the offensive-zone. In fact, Cammalleri failed to complete 5 of his 8 o-zone pass-attempts while on the powerplay. He also lost 2 of 3 o-zone puck-races. Quite frankly, Cammalleri's poor passing killed the powerplay.

Despite his poor rating, Desharnais should still be considered as a solid piece of any first-wave. He, along with Pacioretty, Plekanec, Subban and Weber have created far-and-away the most PP scoring chances. The numbers show that it is through a combination of these 5 players that the powerplay will find success.

Vs Buffalo 3-1 Loss October 18, 2011

Ryan Miller shut the door, as the Montreal Canadiens lost 3-1 to the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night. Montreal threw 41 shots at Miller; including 10 on the powerplay, but were still unable to grab their first home-win of the season.

Tomas Plekanec earned the game's top grade. Followed closely by PK Subban. Other players with grades over 70 include Max Pacioretty and Brian Gionta. Aaron Palushaj had the lowest grade, as both he and Andreas Engqvist earned grades below 50. Eleven of 18 skaters had grades below their season average.

------

Numbers without averages to compare them against can be abstract. With that in mind I will also include each player's average risk/reward rating along with the rating from the specific game covered. also included is the events-per-minute in order to express how involved a specific players is within each zone per overall minute of ice-time.

Tomas Plekanec had the top EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward rating against Buffalo. Plekanec produced his best numbers in the offensive-zone. Pacioretty had the second-best ES risk/reward rating, followed closely by Scott Gomez. Pacioretty produced his top rating in the offensive-zone, while Gomez's rating was buoyed by his work in both the neutral, and defensive-zones.

The lowest EVEN-STRENGTH risk/reward rating belonged to Aaron Palushaj. Palushaj grade was actually in the negative. A negative risk/reward rating shows that the players actually produced more mistakes or lost puck-battles than successful plays. Engqvist had the second-lowest risk/reward rating. Expressed differently, Engqvist's rating shows that he made 1 successful player for every 1 mistake or lost puck-battle.

Scott Gomez produced the most events per minute of ice-time, followed by Pacioretty. Gomez was most involved in the neutral-zone, as he had more than twice as many n-zone events as any other player. The bulk of Pacioretty's events however, took place in the offensive-zone.

----------

Pacioretty had far-and-away the best EVEN-STRENGTH offensive-zone risk/reward rating. He completed 9 of 11 o-zone pass-attempts, and recouped 12 loose-pucks. He also won 5 of 9 o-zone puck-battles and directed 8 shots on net. Plekanec had the second-best o-zone risk/reward rating. Plekanec's recouped 10 loose-pucks, while completing 9 of 14 o-zone passes, and beating opposing players 1on1 (deaks) 4 separate times.

Engqvist had the lowest offensive-zone risk/reward rating. Other players with o-zone ratings in the negative include Yannick Weber, Erik Cole, Hal Gill, Travis Moen and Josh Gorges. Gorges, Moen, Andei Kostitsyn, Alexei Emelin and Cole all completed less than 50% of their attempted passes in the offensive-zone, while Gill lost both offensive-zone puck-battles he engaged in.

Pacioretty was a dominating force in the offensive-zone. As seen by his o-zone events per minute of ice-time. Other players with substantial o-zone events include Plekanec, Gomez, Palushaj and Eller.

--------

As poorly as Engqvist performed in the offensive zone, he did produce the top defensive-zone risk/reward rating. Number 63 blocked 1 shot, 1 pass and completed 75% of his d-zone passes. The Swedish rookie was the only player with a d-zone risk/reward rating above 1.00. The second-best rating belonged to Gorges. Gorges completed 14 of 17 d-zone passes, while winning 5 of 7 d-zone puck-battles.

Aaron Palushaj had the lowest d-zone risk/reward rating; well into the negative. The only other player with a d-zone rating in the negative was Kostitsyn. Kostitsyn continues to struggle with the half-wall outlet pass, as he completed only 40% of his d-zone pass-attempts. He also was unable to block a pass that led to Buffalo's go-ahead goal late in the second period.

Raphael Diaz had the most defensive-zone events per minute of ice-time. Followed by Gorges, Engqvist and Emelin.

--------------

Scott Gomez had far-and-away the top neutral-zone risk/reward rating. He won 4 of 6 n-zone puck-battles, and completed 6 of 7 neutral-zone passes. He was also able to recoup 6 n-zone loose-pucks. Cole had the second-best n-zone risk/reward rating. He completed 4 of 5 neutral-zone passes, and beat opposing players 1on1 through the neutral-zone on 2 separate occasions.


Aaron Palushaj had the lowest n-zone rating, followed by Desharnais. Palushaj missed 2 "blockable" passes through the neutral-zone, while Desharnais lost all of his n-zone puck-battles.

------------

The Canadiens were short-handed on only 1 occasion versus Buffalo, and did not surrender a short-handed shot on goal. As a team, the Habs were able to increase their SHORT-HANDED risk/reward rating from a season-low 0.15 against Colorado, to a season-high 1.40 versus Buffalo. Desharnais produced the top short-handed risk/reward rating. Weber and Gomez's season averages remain in the negative, although Weber produced a positive SH risk/reward rating against the Sabres.

Gorges, Desharnais and Subban were the most involved players while the Habs were short-handed. Tomas Plekanec saw no short-handed ice-time in the game.

-------------

The Montreal Canadiens' powerplay produced 10 shots versus Buffalo. PK Subban had the top POWERPLAY risk/reward rating versus Buffalo. Other players with solid powerplay risk/reward ratings include Kostitsyn and Plekanec. Kostitsyn's PP rating is actually quite deceptive, as an incredible 14 of his 21 powerplay events took place in the neutral, or defensive-zones. By comparison, only 2 of Plekanec'spowerplay events took place outside the offensive-zone.

Gomez had the game's lowest PP risk/reward rating. He won only 2 of 5 PP puck-battles and completed only 2 of 6 powerplay pass-attempts. Other players with powerplay risk/reward ratings below their season average include Desharnais, Diaz, Pacioretty and Weber.