Analytics with Alison: Breaking Down McCann's Play

Two goals in one game is reason enough to
spotlight a player's efforts
, but when it's Jared McCann who, in nine games is a point per game skater for the Kraken, it certainly seems worth looking more at what the player brings.
Let's dig in.
We have a metric called
Game Score
, developed by Dom Luszczyszyn, that puts a value to each player's contributions in an individual game. It's a combination of the foundational stats we are used to seeing in a traditional box score along with some advanced measures of shot quality for and against when a player is on the ice. (You can read more
HERE
)

In Thursday's game against Anaheim, McCann had the
highest game score
of any Kraken skater (3.10) which was also the fourth highest of the game among players from both teams. Lest we think this is a flash in the pan, this season, McCann is second only to Yanni Gourde in
average game score
which means that game in and game out, the Stratford, ONT native is making a difference on the ice every time he's out there.
That value certainly comes from McCann's ability to help get points on the scoreboard. But being a difference maker isn't something new to those familiar with McCann's game. Evolving-Hockey.com translates players' contributions into a value called "Goals Above Replacement" (GAR). While Game Score looks at individual games, GAR looks at a player's value cumulatively across a season(s) and ranks their value according to total value added. A GAR value can be broken out into elements that address offense, defense, and special teams play. Here's McCann's performance last season.

A 97 ranking overall sure seems pretty good and it's worth noting that McCann's most significant contributions come through offensive play that are still supported by strong defensive efforts. (A more thorough explanation of this player card can be found
HERE
)
How does this specifically play out on the ice? Let's look at McCann's influence on his team's efforts both offensively and defensively using HockeyViz's impact measures. As a reminder, the top left rink shows offensive play with McCann on the ice with red indicating where shots happen at a rate above league average. The bottom left rink visual shows defensive play and blue shows shots against happening at a rate lower than league average.

We see that McCann pushes offensive efforts above league average almost everywhere on the ice and particularly in some of the most dangerous areas (right in front of the net). Sometimes these contributions come from teammates and sometimes from McCann himself just like his first goal against Anaheim.

McCann's defensive efforts are also significant shutting down opponents, again, most noticeably net front.
But one other unique trait to McCann's game is something Jordan Eberle mentions on Thursday and that's not just McCann's speed but also his shot.
So, let's look at the impact visual again but pay attention to the finishing measure that is illustrated in the middle of the chart.

The bell curve here represents the league average ability finish (score a goal) on an unblocked shot attempt. McCann is producing at an exceptional rate comparatively, and that was definitely on display in his second tally of the game versus the Ducks.

Jared McCann may go about his game quietly, but he is certainly not one to be overlooked when it comes to how much he can make a difference when he is on the ice.