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Analyzing Canadiens Goaltenders: Key Metrics for Improvement
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- Analyzing Canadiens Goaltenders: Key Metrics for Improvement
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Now that the Montreal Canadiens have replaced their goaltending coach , it's the perfect time to evaluate how their netminders have performed in various situations.
This will give us a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses the new goaltending coach, Marco Marciano, will have to address in the near future.
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In this article, we will focus on the goaltending number at 5v5.
Montreal Canadiens Goaltending Statistics
The first table covers three statistics. The number of goals saved above average per 60 minutes of ice time (GSAA/60), save percentage on unblocked shots (Save% Unblocked), and rebounds per save.
While Jacob Fowler played quite well during his 10-game call-up, Jakub Dobes has essentially maintained the best numbers this year, with Samuel Montembeault lagging well behind.
Dobes is the only goalie who has a positive GSAA/60, and he also saves the most unblocked shots, though it should be noted that Fowler is not far behind in that particular metric.
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As for rebounds, Fowler has done the best job in limiting second-chance opportunities.
In that vein, Marciano clearly needs to focus on reducing rebounds produced by both Dobes and Montembeault.
Montreal Canadiens Goaltending Statistics Per Situation
If we filter the results further, we can determine which type of shots are giving the goaltenders the most issues. There are three categories: low-danger save percentage, medium-danger save percentage, and high-danger save percentage.
Dobes once again comes to the forefront when discussing low-quality shots, with Fowler close in tow. Montembeault, on the other hand, is lagging far behind.
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In fact, both rookie netminders are among the top-10 goalies in the league for saving low-danger shots, while Montembeault is 65th among all goaltenders who have played 10 or more games this season.
The situation is reversed in medium-danger shots, with Montembeault far ahead of both Dobes and Fowler.
Finally, the situation that is arguably the most important in hockey, has Fowler leading the charge, with an impressive .917 save percentage when facing high-danger scoring opportunities. That's good enough for fifth in the NHL.
Dobes has also done fairly well, with a .878 save percentage, which ranks 21st.
Montembeault, however, is having a very difficult time when it comes to making clutch saves. His .763 save percentage is 60th overall in the NHL.
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Sometimes, statistics do not match the eye test, but I'd argue that in this particular case, everything aligns fairly well with what we've witnessed over the course of the 53 games this season.
Habs Brass Tacks
We can come to a few conclusions based on these numbers.
The first is that the Montreal Canadiens may have to recall Fowler from the AHL if they run into another difficult goaltending stretch. It's not ideal for his development, but given that the Eastern Conference playoff race is tightly-contested, the Habs can't afford to leave any points on the table, especially if there's an internal solution available to solve their most pressing need.
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The second is that Dobes has clearly produced much better numbers than Montembeault, and if the goal is to run a meritocracy, he should be considered the Canadiens' starting goaltender. However, Dobes does have to improve his ability to mitigate rebounds.
And finally, when it comes to Montembeault, there are two clear areas of weakness that are holding him back: low-quality shots, and high-danger shots. The former is a little easier to solve, especially if Marciano focuses on point shots at practice. The latter is a little more difficult, as the Canadiens do have a habit of allowing an unreasonable number of odd-man rushes every game.
All Montreal Canadiens goaltending statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Money Puck .
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