Habs Stats: The First 60 games

It is always difficult to have a rational view of the team’s performance in the last five games, immediately after a very disappointing loss versus the San Jose Sharks. The sequence of nine points out of ten just before the Olympic Break seems far away and out of mind. The data from the last five games remains quite in line with the season. Another sequence of six-plus points out of ten, which represents the 11th out of 12 five-game sequences this year. This is outstanding consistency.

Statistically, the Habs are as consistent as ever in every department. The last game versus San Jose underscored both their best and their worst. Excellent offence, power play, and ability to come back in the game, but also many defensive breakdowns, inability to keep momentum, inconsistent goaltending, and inefficient penalty killing. Their weaknesses are even more highlighted when Martin St-Louis does not have the last line change on opposing ice to shelter the team from its vulnerabilities. Based on the team’s away record of 16-7-7, the coaching staff has done a good job more often than not.

Advanced stats presented by NHL Edge are shown below. Most numbers show little change when looking at ‘’All Situations’’. This is masking a few interesting numbers when looking at different scenarios. At five-on-five, the Habs are 10th in offensive zone time but 20th in defensive zone time. This is because their neutral zone time is the lowest in the league. This may suggest that denying zone entry and clogging the neutral zone defensively is not efficient, and/or it could suggest that numerous offensive zone turnovers are quickly transitioning in the Habs zone as odd-man rushes.

The Habs are 26th in the league in shots on goal but their league-leading 13.3 Shooting percentage allows them to rank third in the league in goals with 213. They especially excel in mid-range goals, especially in the high slot area.

Compared to last year, the Habs are 12 points ahead after 60 games. The team reached 75 points on March 22nd last year, in game No. 69.

Despite their impressive record and ability to consistently accumulate points, the Habs are barely keeping pace with the top of the Atlantic.  However, the Tampa Bay Lightning have lost their last three games and the Detroit Red Wings are only 4-4-2 in their last 10. On the other hand, the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins are gaining ground with 15 points in their last 10 compared to 12 for the Habs. In addition, Columbus (8-1-1), Washington (6-4-0), and Ottawa (6-2-2) are making sure that the gap with the Wild Card contenders doesn’t widen.

With the imminent trade deadline, the jury is still out as to which teams are able to improve their roster. The season remains far from over and not many teams are safe to make the playoffs.