Recently we took a look at the NHL Edge data for the Leafs skaters. Today we’ll take a look at probably the most interesting goaltending feature on NHL Edge and that is save percentage by shot location.
The good news for Leafs fans is that in the parts of the ice that matter the most, both Stolarz and Woll have been above NHL average. From the high danger areas of the ice Stolarz had a .861 save percentage (99th percentile), while Joseph Woll had a still strong .819 save percentage (85th percentile). Unfortunately, due to their utilization, neither goaltender saw a ton of work and with Stolarz it is especially important to remember that only 9 of his 27 games played (33%) came against playoff team level competition.
Of the two goaltenders the left wing side of the net on Stolarz is probably the closest thing to a major concern. Five goals on 21 shots came from that area and while not a frequency shooting area it may demonstrate a slower reaction time for one timers from that spot. It was an area Woll is also below average, with five goals coming on 31 shots from that area. The difference between the blocker side and the glove side is night and day for both goaltenders and the fact that it is a blocker side issue is likely not a coincidence.
The area to watch on Woll is shots coming from the right point and in fact, point shots in general seemed to be an issue for Woll. The Leafs have often struggled with dealing with traffic in front of the net and while Woll has been able to deal with that down low, from the point the puck is finding its way through on him more than with other goaltenders. Since it is not a huge strength for Stolarz as well, that could be a concern with him as well unless the team in front of the goaltenders does more to assist in this problem area.
Both goaltenders excelling in the mid-range as well with Woll in the 97th percentile of goaltenders and Stolarz in the 91st percentile really does seem to point to a seemingly easier problem to solve and that is controlling these low danger areas a bit better. Generally, Samsonov outperformed Woll in the low danger areas with the exception of Woll being better in the lower danger areas in close proximity to the net.
The good news is that both Stolarz and Woll have delivered in previous years the same way they did last season. Woll was equally as strong in high danger and mid-range opportunities with a different defensive system in front of him and while still adjusting to the NHL.
Stolarz still had strong high danger and mid range trends that weren’t as strong as his Florida numbers but considering the Ducks team in front of him, optimism is allowed.
Good numbers are definitely a plus as are an improved Leafs defence and a new head coach who has an appreciation for team defence. There might still be concerns about whether these goaltenders can handle the workload they should see them both setting career highs in games played, but the upside is that they seem capable of splitting the net and giving each other nights off which will help make this arrangement work.
