A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: Philip Danault isn’t that far off from Patrice Bergeon

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 05: Phillip Danault Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 05: Phillip Danault Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 27: Patrice Bergeron Philip Danault Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Context is key here. Bergeron does play with David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand regularly, and the Boston Bruins want to put them in positions to score as much as possible. Starting that line in the offensive zone is the best way to do that.

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The underlining numbers between the two centres prove that the separation isn’t as significant as many think. This time we’ll focus on RelCA/60 (shot suppression) as well as RelSCA/60 (scoring chances against) and HDCA/60 (high-danger chances against). The relative aspect of each stat takes into account the difference the chances directed towards their own net when they’re on the ice vs. off the ice. In all cases, the lower the number, the better.

Danault had his best defensive season with the Montreal Canadiens by far. His RelCA/60, RelSCA/60 and HDCA/60 att 5v5 were -4.84, -1.45 and -1.06. If we focus on shot suppression, this means almost five fewer shots were going towards the Habs’ net when Danault was on the ice. To make things better, Danault sported a RelCF% of 7.04, showing a significant difference in chances for Montreal when he hops over the boards.

Bergeron’s numbers are better, but they’re in a similar ballpark. His RelCA/60, RelSCA/60 and HDCA/60 att 5v5 were -5.24, -0.28 and 1.09. The Quebec native prevents fewer shots towards the net but doesn’t prevent more regular or high-danger scoring chances. Link this with the fact that Danault gets a lot more starts in the defensive zone, and it’s looking pretty good for the Montreal Canadiens number one centre.

That’s what the underlining numbers say. Where Bergeron stays on top is in his overall production, but there’s still something interesting about that.

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