Leafs Shooting Percentage in 10-Game Segments

Finishing off the series of 10-game segments is a look at individual shooting percentage during each set. The data was generated through timeonice.com scripts and represesnt even-strength on-ice shooting percentage. That’s the combined shooting rate for every player on the ice at even strength.

The numbers represents the team shooting percentage while the player was on the ice.

The other pieces are here and here.

Granted, these are all small sample sizes to assess any overall trend, but can be isolated as comparables amongst team members as indications of contributions over these specific periods of time.

Goaltending woes required some hot shooting and timely scoring to enhance any modicum of success. After a hot start, the sticks cooled off with a variety of different players taking starring roles during each segment.

Let’s get to the charts.

The Leafs were running up a 7-2-1 record out of the gate. The stage was set if one was to look at the chart after 10 games in 2011-12 to indicate a drop in their record, at least to a more sustainable level.

The 7-2-1 start was enough to buoy along the bubble into the playoffs, but the early pace was clearly unsustainable.

Phil Kessel led the way with linemates Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak at number two and four respectively, with brittle Tim Connolly only appearing in two games, recovering from a preseason injury.

The number of players shooting over 10% in this first period is indicative of the record while scoring 3.3 goals per game, while allowing 3.2, in a thin margin of success.

This period featured a 4-5-1 record, bouncing just below .500, while only three players on-ice shooting percentage was north of 10%. If that wasn’t strange enough, that offensive stalwart, Mike Komisarek led the Leafs at 13.2%.

Of note was the power play in this period, scoring eight goals on 33 opportunities (24.2%), three coming in a 7-1 romp over the Capitals.

A record of 5-4-1 is highlighted by a 5.7% on-ice shooting percentage at even strength, despite scoring three of four goals at even strength during this period.

Called up after a hot start in the AHL, Joe Colborne’s 13.9% on-ice shooting percentage was a positive to take away from the brief NHL audition. Colborne’s season would soon begin to unravel due to a wrist injury that required end-of-season surgery.

Skated to a respectable 4-4-2 record averaging 3.6 goals per games and allowing 3.2. Mikhail Grabovski scored five times in this period, once on the power play, with an on-ice shooting percentage presence of 9.6%.

Luke Schenn had a 12.2% on-ice shooting percentage, the second set greater than 10% after a season low 3.9% in the second 10-game period.

A record of 5-4-1 sees Luke Schenn up near the top of the pack at even strength shooting percentage.

Grabovski led the club during this period, scoring six of the Leafs 26 goals, all at even strength. Nik Kulemin would be close behind at 15.7% the highest he would rank in any 10-game segment.

This is the final period before the demise of Ron Wilson as Coach sporting a dismal 4-5-1 record while in free fall. Mike Brown, David Steckel and Darryl Boyce (4 games) collectively were on the ice for 19-goals against, while note being on the ice for any Leafs goals.

Luke Schenn continued as the presence north of 10%, sporting an unsustainable 12%.

The Randy Carlyle era begins five games into this set with most Leafs struggling at even strength scoring goals, while scoring six goals with the man-advantage on 30 opportunities (20% efficiency).

Topping the club with a 15.4% is that offensive stalwart Mike Brown in six games, somewhat indicative of the lack of scoring and an ugly 1-8-1 record.

This 12-game period is likely the least significant period in the entire season. The playoffs were an afterthought, Joffrey Lupul was hurt for the rest of the season and creating a disconnect on the first unit. Players were jettisoned in and out of the lineup and it seemed to be more of an era of experimentation and assessment rather than strong performances trying to win games. The Leafs ended up this period at .500 with a 5-5-2 record.

An interesting note is Jake Gardiner on the ice for 15 goals scored and 13 goals against in this final 12-game period.  Toronto scored 28 goals during this period, 23 at even strength. That means Gardiner was on the ice for 65% of the Leafs even strength goals over this period of time, scoring three goals himself.

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Thus ends the 10-game segments analysis. Unless anything in particular stands out to me, it’s not likely I revisit this.