Anaheim Ducks key statistics

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, three key statistics for the Anaheim Ducks.

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1. 5-on-5 save percentage

The Anaheim Ducks finished 14th in the NHL in 5-on-5 save percentage (91.9 percent) despite being 27th in points percentage (.472) last season. No. 1 goalie John Gibson had a .913 even-strength save percentage, tied for 16th in the NHL among goalies who played at least 40 games, and had at least a .900 save percentage in 27 starts, tied for eighth with Jacob Markstrom of the Vancouver Canucks. The above-average goaltending suggests the Ducks have a higher ceiling for points this season if they improve their scoring from last season (2.56 goals per game; 29th in NHL).

2. Shot attempts differential

Anaheim was 27th in the NHL in shots on goal per game (29.7) and 11th in shots-against per game (32.1), a disparity reflected in its shot attempts differential (SAT) of minus-221, which ranked 25th. This led to the Ducks tying the New York Rangers for the NHL lead in wins when outshot by their opponent (24). Conversely, their five wins when outshooting their opponent were the fewest in the NHL. Forward Ondrej Kase, who was traded to the Boston Bruins on Feb. 21, led the Ducks with a plus-118 SAT, and Nick Ritchie, who was traded to the Bruins on Feb. 24, was third among Anaheim forwards with a plus-56 SAT. With two of their top shot-generating forwards from last season no longer on the roster, the Ducks could rely on forwards Adam Henrique (plus-58) and
Troy Terry
(plus-8) to generate more shot attempts this season.

3. Penalty-kill percentage

The Ducks penalty kill was 26th in the NHL last season (77.0 percent). Gibson's .832 power-play save percentage was tied for the lowest in the League with Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings among goalies who played at least 40 games. One cause of the weak penalty kill could be injuries to defensemen Hampus Lindholm, who missed 16 games, and Josh Manson, who missed 21 games. Lindholm led the Ducks in shorthanded ice time per game (2:39), and Manson was third (2:30) among those who played at least 10 games. If Lindholm and Manson each is healthy this season, it's feasible to suggest Anaheim will improve its penalty kill and Gibson will have a higher save percentage against the power play.