Zachary Bolduc, a young and talented player in the NHL, has been experiencing a significant scoring drought. Currently, he has gone 30 games without a goal, raising concerns about his performance. Bolduc’s struggle is particularly surprising considering his previous success last year with the St. Louis Blues.
Zachary Bolduc’s Unlucky Season
In his first 37 games this season, from October 7 to December 27, Bolduc managed to score 10 goals. This scoring pace suggested he could have netted 22 goals over a full season. However, since December 28, his performance has drastically declined.
Scoring Drought Details
- Current goal drought: 30 games
- Goals scored before the drought: 10 in 37 games
- Projected full-season scoring pace: 22 goals
Unfortunate Statistics
Bolduc’s unfortunate circumstances are highlighted by his statistical ranking in the NHL. He ranks 808th out of 809 players eligible, making him one of the unluckiest players in the league. Sportlogiq’s data indicates that he should have scored approximately 6.07 goals during his drought, given the chances he had.
Comparative Analysis
- Bolduc: Expected goals: 6.07
- Christian Dvorak: Lowest goals relative to expectations: 7.89
This shows that his current offensively lean performance is not due to a lack of skill. Instead, it’s reflective of pure bad luck.
Role Shift and Team Dynamics
Bolduc’s transition from a more offensive role with St. Louis to a less focused position now has impacted his game. He averaged 1 minute and 58 seconds per game on the power play earlier this season but dropped to just 1 minute and 11 seconds post-December.
This reduction in ice time on special teams has likely contributed to his lack of scoring opportunities. Previously, playing alongside Robert Thomas allowed him plenty of opportunities to score.
Future Prospects
At only 23 years old and in his second full NHL season, Bolduc is working hard to identify his role in the Canadiens’ system under coach Martin St-Louis. While he excels in retrieving pucks in offensive zones, other aspects of his game may need refinement.
As Bolduc continues to adjust to his new role, the hope remains that his luck will change soon. Many believe that if fortune smiles on him, his scoring drought will soon become a thing of the past.
