Game 16 Recap: Pacioretty's OT Winner Gets Habs Back To .500

2 points in the bank.

Gomez was a revelation for the 4th line. I’m really looking forward to him being healthy enough to play centre.

I had a bad feeling about this one from the Preds perspective, Montreal’s superior skill up front had me worried. There was a nice-size contingent who apparently traveled down for the game, and it was funny to see a couple Habs fans posing for picture up against a Metro Nashville police car, acting like they were being cuffed, on the way out.

Lucic’s hit, or this loser Bruins fan who video records his TV?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-9-sykW9sc

Can stat-aholics and avid game watchers coincide without snarky remarks? Its an interesting dynamic when you think about the fact we all want the same thing… for the team to succeed.

I can say without a doubt, I’ve played my fair share of “Hockey League Simulator”, Yahoo Pools, EA Sports NHL series on PS3. I still pick players that I like, despite the fact, statistically, there are better players (in certain categories) on a waiver wire. Why? Because its human to root for the underdog, its easier to back someone we like. (Despite the fact I’ll likely never meet any of my hockey heros I still chose for them to be on ‘my’ teams).

And as much as there is a logic and reasoning connection to statistics, I’ll never be complaining about a player based on his Fenwick or Corsi, or PDO. I will, as an observer, complain when a guy (Whoever) is underachieving, no matter who they might be.

Case in point Gomez.

I know I know, just hear me out. When Mathman was defending him tooth and nail last season, I was shaking my head and contemplated never reading his posts again. Seriously. Even with understanding most of the statistical logic that Mathman was using, I still did not believe that Gomez could lack so much on the score sheet, nor that no matter who was on his line, they were the ones to some how get sucked into the Vortex of Gomez (ala Kostitsyn who was running hot then paired up on Gomez line then the streak stopped.) Yes, again AK’s numbers when handled by the statistical hand, were more likely to drop due to pattern of behavior for AK over his career and it was not likely as simple as being placed on Gomez’s line. But as an observational fan, who has some knowledge about team dynamic, salary caps, and the like, Gomez – who appears to have a laissez faire attitude- is hard to back, hard to feel for, hard to connect with.

Who in their right mind gets the most perfect job they can think of, sign a magnificent deal, and play in the hockey Mecca of the NHL and be “Meh, I might try tonight”. Despite comments from him about feeling ashamed and embarrassed, and trying to seek solitude in the former greats who still meander the halls of the Bell Center, I just don’t believe him. Despite all of the things he might do right, his luck cannot be the only reason he did not succeed last season.

But, as a Habs fan, I am just that, a fan who makes absolutely no choices that impact what the Habs actually do. And will comment when I see fit. But, there’s no need for name calling, or “Oh they’ll eat their words”. We can be wrong, and its ok. If Gomez suddenly turns things around, appears to care more, outproduces other top 6 players, I’ll happily admit my mistake, and take him, his points and the Habs wins and cheer him on as you do. But, please don’t assume I am under-educated on the topic, nor that I am a fly by night bandwagoner. I come here for the other- half’s stories as well as the passionate observer’s insights, don’t take that away from me.

This blog has become something other than what I experienced when Robert L was more involved. Not a bad thing, not necessarily a good thing, but when it became about Stats vs Naked Eye Observations, it changed how I viewed coming here. Which kinda sucks. If I want stats I can easily go to the many referenced stats blogs you all use. And there I will not comment, nor will there be a sense of belonging. Here, I had felt "I’m not a total idiot, and people respond to what I say’ which as a commenter, is what we look for.

Enjoy your stats, but don’t bash others for their general love of the game and of the Habs.

Maybe I’ll come around… someday. But numbers and me…well if its Habs 4 Bruins 2 that’s what matters…as a fan.
As a poolie, Habs 4 Bruins 2 means something all together different when Desharnais has won 13-17 faceoffs, Subban got 2 assists, +1, and 6 PIMS, and Price got the win with a .945 Save percentage.

IMHO, stats make chess of the game (which sometimes it is), but, it eliminates or lacks in appreciation of the human psyche … Kostitsyn’s up and down scoring touch – What brings him back to scoring? Team dynamic what if we had a 80’s era Leaf situation Leeman and Iafrate -someone messed with the other’s wife how could they play together and does that suddenly speak to the level of play they had been playing at, or will be playing at. Guess I don’t believe there could be a stat that could explain all of that and make sense like the Corsi, Fenwick, or PDO.
 
I guess if I ever wanted to put stats ahead of my overall enjoyment of seeing Emelin level someone, or Desharnais work the corner (God he’s good at keep away), or Subban do a spinnerama (though glad he’s doing less of them), or Price playing like nobody’s business I’ll know who and where to come.