Play indoors. This is not a concept that Martin St-Louis found in a Cracker Jack box. It has always been known that the success of an attacker depends on his presence near the opponent's net, where the risk of getting a puck in the face or being double-checked in the back is much higher.
• Also read: CH striker: in the NHL cellar for goals scored
In this regard, Sportlogiq's numbers are consistent with the Canadian head coach's criticism. Especially when we look at the average number of shots taken per game from the bottom of the slot (6.1). A category in which the Habs rank 27th.
Photo Martin Chevalier
“It is certain that we can improve in this aspect of the game. Me first,” admitted Cole Caufield. It's not necessarily about staying in front of the net, but rather appearing there at the right moment to surprise the opponent and make them turn away.
In addition to not showing up at this favorite spot on a regular basis, the Habs offense has a hard time capitalizing on the opportunity when they are there. Martin St-Louis' men boast a cool -14.5 in the expected goals column. That means they should have 14 more goals on their record.
Oddly enough, only the Penguins are worse at -17.6.
A reality that is largely explained by the fact that the two teams have in their ranks the worst players in the NHL in this regard: Jake Guentzel (-6.32), Josh Anderson (-5.8), Cole Caufield (-5, 75) and Rickard Rakell (-5.24).
Additionally, Caufield has only caused an upset twice in his last 15 games.
“I have to stay confident. I have to keep telling myself that the next shot will go in. The more chances I get, the more likely it is to happen,” Caufield said.
Person with 10 goals
In addition, the Canadian's attackers are in last place in terms of the effectiveness of their shots. Only 5.1% of shots land on goal.
In this column, Caufield is just above the team average at 6.7%. We are a long way from last year's 16.5%.
“I prefer not to think too much about last year. “I’m mainly focused on the next game, the next presence,” said number 22.
It's no wonder that the Habs' attackers have only scored 52 goals since the start of the season. Worst performance among the 32 teams. Furthermore, none of them have reached the 10-goal mark so far. Nick Suzuki and Sean Monahan lead with eight.
The Canadian is one of three teams where this is the case, alongside the Flames and the Sharks.
Difference between goals and expected goals, attacker
28. St. Louis – 8.36
29. Calgary – 10.1
30. Edmonton – 10.8
31. Montreal – 14.5
32. Pittsburgh – June 17th
Shot effectiveness
28. Florida 6.0%
29. Calgary 6.0%
30. Pittsburgh 5.9%
31. Seattle 5.4%
32. Montreal 5.1%
Goals by attackers
28. Ottawa – 62 goals
29. Washington – 60 goals
30. Chicago – 60 goals
31. San Jose – 55 goals
32. Montreal – 52 goals
Source: Sportlogiq