Game 14 Recap: Habs Fail To Strike Oil
by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 4:20 PM EST
in Habs Game Recaps
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PrintLast night the Canadiens continued a tradition under the Jacques Martin era in Montreal; defying what all mathematical trends tell us should happen. This is the third season now of the Canadiens inexplicably playing the opposite game. In 2009-10 they were horrible with and without the puck and somehow were successful in making the playoffs and going deep. Since then the team has turned a corner, playing an excellent puck possession game, but losing games they should win.
This season they look to be a better team than last year in every measurable way, yet they still can't catch a break.
After a game where the calls went against them in Manhattan, the Habs played an extremely disciplined game, while getting the benefit of several weak calls called against the Oilers. Unfortunately for Montreal, the penalty kill was the only time of the game where the Oilers played well last night.
Their aggressive PK kept most of the Habs PP shots to the outside, and over five powerplays Montreal only managed a measly 3 shots, while giving up 2 shorthanded shots and a goal to Ryan Jones.
At even strength was where the Habs really held the advantage, with a shot count of 26-7. It was a game where everything pointed towards a Canadiens win, but it just didn't work.
Erik Cole continues to be snake bitten in spite of creating chances on nearly every shift, while captain Brian Gionta is still struggling a bit to find his game.
Scoring Summary from NHL.com
Although he only faced 13 shots, you can't really put much blame on Price for the loss. Jones' goal was one we see all too often on Price, as Chris Boyle pointed out in the game thread comments, but moments later he stopped Ryan Smyth pulling the same move. The game winner was a bad luck bounce off of a defenseman that he had no chance on. It's unfortunate that the Oilers could never really muster any pressure, as Price looked keyed in from the drop of the puck, and a few big stops could have built the kind of momentum this team thrives on.
Max Pacioretty pulled the team within one with just 3:10 left in the third period, 22 seconds after Tom Gilbert's lucky bounce eventual game winner. It's one of those sequences of events that just make you throw up your hands in frustration. Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban drew assists on the play.
With Price on the bench, Ryan Smyth iced the game with an empty net goal with 43 seconds left to go.
With yet another loss it's all too tempting for frustrated fans to look for someone to blame, and more than often that outlet is Jacques Martin, but I think we need to put that one to bed. With the way the Canadiens drove the play last night, even with Andrei Kostitsyn out, it's clear he employed a near perfect strategy against the Oilers. You can debate small lineup tweaks until you're blue in the face, but Mathieu Darche playing 5:14 on the powerplay last night is not the reason they lost.
Hopefully Alexei Emelin's extremely low ice time last night, just 10:44, isn't indicative of Raphael Diaz staying in the lineup. Emelin played a smart game and was extremely noticeable when on the ice for all the right reasons. Diaz on the other hand still looks like he's handling a hand grenade instead of a puck half the time.
Yannick Weber finished a -2 on two bad luck plays, reminding us why the +/- stat is so flawed.
Aaron Palushaj was called up from Hamilton for the upcoming road trip. Here's hoping that's just a precautionary measure with Kostitsyn and Scott Gomez getting close to return to the lineup.
Next up on the schedule are the Phoenix Coyotes. Check out Five For Howling to see how they're doing in the desert.
Three Stars: 1. Nikolai Khabibulin 2. Ryan Jones 3. Mike Cammalleri
Olivier Bouchard's post game analysis
Mike Boone's About Last Night
Lions in Winter's dome hockey team
Mitch Melnick's Good, Bad and Ugly
Chris Boucher pulls out all the stops with post game analysis, publishing the overall raw data, then breaking it down into even strength, powerplay and shorthanded situations.
Perspective from the winning side at The Copper & Blue
Advanced Stats: Shift Charts / Head to Head / Corsi & Fenwick
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Really they should keep Palushaj up and demote Blunden if one of the other guys are ready to play. 50 seconds of icetime for Blunden… yikes.
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I’m guessing that the reason they don’t is they’d rather Palushaj play 20 minutes a night in Hamilton when possible. Also that Hamilton is really, really struggling.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
Who cares about Hamilton if Montreal isn’t winning. :) Proves Palushaj is a better player than Blunden, if nothing else. Anyways, hopefully just a moot point and we get both Kostitsyn and Gomez back ASAP.
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I’d say it has more to do with helping Palushaj become a better player. But yeah I’d much rather have Gomez and Kostitsyn back as well.
It looks like Chris Boucher’s numbers have shown what I’ve been seeing lately with DD as well. His grade for the last 4 straight games is below his seasonal average. That to me is as good a reason as any to give Gomez his spot.
I’m holding out hope that against Phoenix we get Gomez and Kostitsyn back and see these lines:
Pacioretty – Plekanec – Gionta
Cammalleri – Eller – Kostitsyn
Desharnais – Gomez – Cole
Moen – Nokelainen – Darche
Gorges – Subban
Gill – Emelin
Spacek – Weber
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
Desharnais is on a 54-shot pace (over 82 games). I know the guy doesn’t have a great shot but that is absolutely abysmal for a player getting 16 even-strength/PP minutes per game. When he’s on the ice the Habs are getting about their normal rates of shots away, but I believeGomez will help them do better.
He’s in over his head and that’s disappointing. I was hoping he would be able to handle a 3rd-line centre role next season but it’s looking more and more like he won’t be able to. His not getting shots away does not give me confidence in his ability to play the wing either but we’ll see what happens when Gomez gets back.
Desharnais is the small guy that I’d like to see the Habs trade at some point. His contract and offensive skills make him attractive, and if we could send him somewhere for a 15 goal, 35 point hard nosed winger in a package for the 3rd line I think that would be a huge plus for the team.
I also thought that he would do better as a 3C, especially with guys like Cole and Cammalleri on his wings. I hate to agree with the too small narrative but lately DD he’s been getting pushed off the puck far too easily for my liking.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
He’s more Kyle Wellwood than Martin St. Louis.
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Oh ouch.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
You look at top-9 players, they all have some mix of speed and strength (Moen being the extreme: average speed, lots of strength) to mix with either defensive or offensive acumen.
Desharnais has both defensive and offensive acumen, but no speed nor strength (compared to, say, Cammalleri, who has a better shot, is probably a better puck handler and is significantly stronger). I still think he can carve out a career as a top-9 winger.
I think he can too, but I think he would have a better chance on another team. I think he would benefit a lot from a more run and gun system, possibly on a bigger team.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 6:08 PM EST up reply actions
Not many teams have the winger depth to make a guy like Desharnais a viable option as a third line center at this point in his career. I still feel pretty confidant he can grow into a role behind Plekanec and Eller but right now his poor territorial play and lack of versitilty is hurting the team.
Also if he isn’t a shooting option for that line there really isn’t any point in having him there over Gomez who can bring playmaking and a good territorial game. If Cammaleri and Cole are going to do all the shooting he’s the better third wheel if for no other purpose than the fact that they’ll need less shelter from the other lines.
I’d still use Eller for the 2nd line matchups but they wouldn’t have to give Gomez such a big zone-start advantage.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
This is what I’m hoping happens as well.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
A Theory
I might be crazy here but I think one thing that may help them is to have a specific practice for shooting the puck on the net. They must do it already (somewhat) but they obviously need much more. I wonder if they’re even encouraged to do so. They’re probably not denied the chance but I wonder if it’s ever brought up all that much in practice. They probably have to do it on their own. Practice trick shots, backhanded goals, etc.
The last couple of years I’ve seen them miss shots that were guaranteed goals, shots going off crossbars, shots that missed by a country mile, etc. Now this happens to every team and happens to everyone from the lowest player to the top but it seems to happen to us quite a hell of a lot. The last two seasons were bad but this season it seems to be much worse.
Having a defensive-minded coach makes me think that they probably do not practice this half as much as they should.
PK also needs to practice other types of shots instead of the same slap shot idea every time.
I’ll watch other games with other teams and they seem to make these shots a lot more than we do. I’ll watch some games and I’ll think “there’s no way we could have done that.”
I think a lot of those feelings comes from us being overexposed to the Habs and over-analyzing them.
As for P.K. the whole narrative about his shot is an attempt to explain him not scoring without actually having any insight. It’s media manufactured in every way. The guy has 10 shots on net the last 2 games, 46 on the season. He wouldn’t have that many if his shot selection was extremely limited.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
From where I stand, there is one thing that I find obvious. On the power play, Weber shoots from a significantly shorter range. PK often let it go from a few feets inside the blue line while Weber will shoot only from the top of the circle. It’s a small sample size, but at this point I have Weber with 6 personal scoring chances on the PP against 3 for PK.
I think that accounts for something, even tough at the end of the day, Weber has 1 PPG and Subban 0.
Did Subban usually shoot further back from Weber last year as well, or his he being forced to the outside as teams key on him more?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
From what I remember that depended on what set up they were employing at any particular time. Sometimes it was Wisniewski way back and Subban and Cammaleri fairly deep while other times they were setting up with Subban near the blueline.
Weber pretty much exclusively sets up on the left half wall from my recollection.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 6:30 PM EST up reply actions
I seem to remember a lot of Subban shots from the top of the circle, But that could just be me remembering his two biggest goals of the season.
Until Markov gets back they don’t really have anyone capable of centering the top of that umbrella like PP they used last season.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
Now that you mention the top of the umbrella thing a thought came to mind. Diaz has been paired with Subban, does he tend to play further to right than the Wisniewski did last season? If I recorded the games it’s something I would take a look at.
Subban-Diaz may be operating more as a two-man point with a guy on the right-hand half-boards while Plekanec’ willingness to skate toward the centre means he ends up in the middle, the half-boards guy moves more to the point and it’s an umbrella rather than the usual 2-person point.
I’m not too sure. But Diaz lately has left a lot to be desired on the PP. He gets himself into good shooting position but he bobbles a lot of passes and sends quite a few passes into Subban’s skates.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
This is true. With Plekanec they usually play him back in the center, Weber left side wall, forward right side wall (Cammalleri or Desharnais and a couple of times Pacioretty).
Diaz plays in the right corner with Subban on left point, further up than Weber plays while the left side wall forward plays deeper. As a result they are pretty much exclusively attacking with forwards deep on that set up and rarely doing much with cross ice passing. That Diaz can’t seem to set up Subban for a decent one timer seems to be a significant factor.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
He also moved around a lot during the powerplay shift, which is a big advantage normally but without an good playmaker on the other point it really doesn’t amount to much.
On that note, the playmaking on the powerplay has been a big weakness so far. Desharnais can work a good down low play with his wingers but doesn’t seem to know how to set up the defensemen. Plekanec can make plays as a forward but is out of his element on the point. Diaz can’t break down an NHL defense yet and both Weber and Subban have been used almost exclusively as shooters. Weber also can finish a play but is not great shakes at starting it.
I think they really miss having either Plekanec or Gomez as the set up man with the man advantage.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Spot on. A lot of the passes to the D-men that aren’t just across the blueline D to D are picked off with ease.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 6:57 PM EST up reply actions
I have to say I’m not worried by special teams as they stand today. As I wrote in the october writeup, they come out ahead chance-wise (as of today, +61/-58 while spending 10 more minutes on the PK than the PP) and they are top 3 in the league at generating and preventing shots on special teams.
I know I sound like a broken record, but I must insist: this is a really good team.
Also, I think this discussion on PP strategies and setups according to personnel is absolutely fantastic. Keep it up!
The nice thing about a completely healthy Habs roster is they have the personel to play pretty much any strategy you could want. With 10 forwards and 4-6 defensemen that are viable power play players.
4 different power wingers/net men
Pacioretty, Cole. Kostitsyn, Darche
4 playmaking forwards
Plekanec, Gomez, Desharnais, Eller
3 one shot snipers
Cammalleri, Gionta, Kostitsyn
2 quality point shooters
Subban, Weber
2 defenseman quarterbacks
Markov, Subban
If they need a LHD shot they could use Emelin, or Campoli, they can add an extra RHD in Diaz.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
All the trends point that way. Come ON regression!!!
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe I am over-analyzing them but sometimes I swear I’m on to something. I can’t believe some of the shots that are missed (not just this season but the last two years). Really easy ones that some 4th line guy would get in his sleep and we miss it. I think they need more offensive drills though. Sometimes they almost seem lost in that department….but then again maybe I’m still over-analyzing it. All I know for sure is that this depresses the hell out of me.
I think we’re all a little bit depressed with how this season has gone so far.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
Whatever it is, it’s certainly frustrating.
The “over-analyzing” issue is more of because you (I assume) don’t watch other teams nearly as much as you watch the Habs and when you watch the Habs you’re focused on them more than another team.
It’s difficult to make comparisons because the highs/lows of the Habs are more memorable than that of the other teams you watch. With the Habs having a lot of visual lows early those are going to stick out.
These days I only watch Habs games so I’m really distrustful of comparisons I make to other teams when I watch the game. That and my hockey-ability judgement is terrible – believing Josh Gorges was nothing more than a bottom-pairing defenseman being the most damning evidence against me.
We all have oversights. I thought Pacioretty was a bust last year in September.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
With how well Eller has come along, it seems that we might have a streak where the earliest sign that a Habs forward prospect is about to make a big step forward is Chris Topham writing an summer article expressing his doubts about him ever becoming much better. Maybe next summer it will be Palushaj or Leblanc’s turn.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Hahaha it’s true that he lacks patience sometimes. I can’t blame him though.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t particularly blame him. Progression happens in fits and starts, the next big step for a good prospect is probably going to happen after an extended stall.
Speaking of which Hamilton is in a real bind right now, they graduated a huge number of players last year but the new crop of CHL/NCAA players doesn’t really arrive until next season. Leblanc was really the only significant addition, while the bulk of the top prospects from three drafts arrive in 2012 (Kristo, Tinordi, Gallagher, Bournival, Ellis, Beaulieu). The 2008 draft crop being really lame is a big factor in the gap between the recent graduates (Mainly from 2007) and the new AHLers (clustered around the 2010 year.)
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
Big time. Hamilton looks terrible and they’re getting massively outshot every game. I can only assume that scoring chances are going the same way. Not only is there a gap in the available talent, but they were dealt a huge blow with Brendan Nash going down with shoulder surgery before the season. He’s probably their #1 D.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
Plus they were probably counting on having both Trotter and Palushaj to lead the forwards this year.
Avstin turning the corner in his development would be big for them, so would getting a leading defenseman from Montreal getting healthy. That should be Diaz’s job right now instead of as a warm body in Montreal.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 7:29 PM EST up reply actions
For sure. Avtsin scored last night so that is hopefully a sign of things to come.
I think they were also hoping for a smoother transition from Alain Berger, who’s been weak. I was hoping Kristo would leave UND this summer but playing with MacMillan might be a long term benefit.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
From what I know of Kristo at this point he could definately play AHL right now. But since he plays for a top program I don’t think there is that much difference between him playing 2 years in the AHL starting this year and 1 year NCAA and 1 year AHL before looking at NHL ice.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
I agree. Mostly I wanted him to play for Hamilton so I could see him play instead of relying on scouting reports.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
Both Avstin and Leblanc join Palushaj join a group of snake bit Dogs. 22, 20 and 20 shots each and all three only have 1 goal.
I would hope for a better than 1 point in 6 games from Leblanc after opening with a 3 point night but no one on that team seems to be scoring so it might not be his fault.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 10, 2011 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
No, I watch other games as well, as many as possible. I watch other games and I see the way they play and it just seems that they (other teams) seem to be able to do more with the puck than we can. It often looks like we struggle with it and handle it like it’s a bomb or something.
by DarthAlexander on Nov 9, 2011 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
The Tampa-Philly game
Pretty bizarre (and awesome). Tampa Bay sets up their 1-3-1 trap. Philadelphia refuses to try to break it, stand around in the defensive zone with the puck.
The intermission show reactions I’ve seen? Ban the 1-3-1 trap of course! Pay no mind to the team deliberately not moving the puck up ice.
Mind you, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for both teams to do that ad naseum until overtime. Plenty of playoff spots means you’re not really competing head-to-head and getting that guaranteed point would help.
I’ve seen the freaking out about it on twitter. How long did Philly just sit there?
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
The first time about 30 seconds and the ref blew the whistle apparently. Officials apparently told the Flyers they have to keep the puck moving.
The last few times it happened in the period it was about 20 seconds/time before Philly moved the puck.
I can’t believe everyone is going off about what Tampa is doing though. Philadelphia are the team with the puck not doing anything with it.
I get that the 1-3-1 is boring, but the vitriol is a little crazy. The trap isn’t new.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
MacKenzie is the only one actually sounding like a sentient being, once again.
I tought that was hilarious, actually. But your are right, Andrew: delay of game.
McKenzie is regularly the only guy worth listening to. Every time Crawford opens his mouth all I hear is “Hey Bertuzzi, kill Steve Moore”.
I think we’d all find it less hilarious if we’d paid for a ticket in TB tonight ;-)
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not sure how you could even make that illegal without some kind of clusterfuck.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
That comment by Crawford was ridiculous. Make the 1-3-1 illegal? How? Terrible analyst.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
On the pundit/commentary vein.
Tonight Pierre McGuire made reference to Montreal’s board being lively. He also said that Boucher was familiar with Bergeron thanks to Bergeron’s time (3 games) in Hamilton.
Hahaha oh McGuire. Beautiful.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
a few years ago (say, around 2008) ‘failure to play the puck forward’ was formally listed as a penalty. couldn’t find it when a looked at this year’s incarnation of the rule book, though. maybe shanahan should put out a reminder-video: trap = boring, refusing to play = illegal
trap = boring, refusing to play = illegal
Exactly. If they’re doing that they might as well forfeit.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, that’s all on Philly. You can’t punish a team for playing solid positional hockey. This is a full team of poor sportsmanship. The refs should be handing the Flyers delay of game minors and Laviolette should be fined. That’s a disgrace.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
This happened in the QMJHL against Boucher’s Voltigeurs as well. Might have been Shawinigan that did it, can’t remember for sure.
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Maybe the Remparts? I know Roy vocally complained about the 1-3-1 several times.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
Roy is hilarious. Him complaining that Boucher’s system was too defensive, when Boucher’s team are usually goal-scoring juggernauts, was a pretty good one.
I shiver to think what kind of mess Saint Patrick would make of an NHL team, but at the same time, that would be a pretty darn entertaining half-season…
Well he’s kind of being proven right here tonight, and Boucher’s system is definitely defense first.
The thing about Roy is I think his hot headed reputation distracts people from the fact that he’s actually a very intelligent guy who has a great hockey mind. His appearance on antichambre last year (a friend of mine translated for me) was some of the best commentary and insight I’ve ever seen.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
I thought he made some pretty cogent points when asked about Price/Halak. But some of the fan arguments in his favour are ridiculous.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
ALL of the fan arguments in his favour are ridiculous.Taking a fiery guy straight from junior to a premier NHL market is a disaster waiting to happen.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:06 PM EST up reply actions
This game is making me wish Boucher was the Habs coach (though there’s a good chance that happens eventually down the line). I guess if the Habs set up 1 -3-1 and the other team refused to play through it it wouldn’t work out well for Montreal.
Its too bad he got identified as a star so early in his career. It would have been nice if he would have staid a few years in Hamilton (perhaps being very generously rewarded by the Habs who can afford to be) and be the natural successor to Martin.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
That was the scenario I was most hoping for. Though I also would have been pleased if he had replaced Martin after the 2009-10 season (now that would have been bold). Admittedly the second scenario is more me wanting to say outrageous things loudly.
Happily things have worked out pretty well for the Habs and Martin got the ship going the right way.
But Oliver, he’s a winner that hates losing. You know the team would win just by Roy’s shear willpower. Unlike that loser Martin.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t forget to mention that Martin isn’t just a loser, he’s never won anything in his life. And make sure you ignore the 2002 Olympic gold medal.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
Bottom line
The Flyers would never, ever pull that stunt at home. Purposely making a mockery of the game like that needs to be severely punished. If I’m Bettman I’m giving Laviolette a 5 game suspension and a heavy fine.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:52 PM EST reply actions
I’m really really surprised the refs didn’t call an unsportsmanlike or delay of game on the Philly bench. Shocked.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
The Flyers? Making a mockery of the game? Perish the thought! Who do you think they are? The Bruins?
Hehehe
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
This is every shade of awesome:
TBay Zone Starts and PDO by Defensemen:
Bergeron 70%/1055
Gilroy 53,9% / 1053
Kubina 51,3% / 999
Clark 47,1% / 988
Hedman 28,7% / 972
Brewer 19,8% / 965
Brewer has seen 26 Ozone Faceoffs for 105 in the DZone. Hedman has seen 39 OZFO to 97 DZone FO. Bergeron 87 Ozone to 39 DZone.
That is awesome.
Well that explains MAB’s point totals so far. Wow. Reminds me of the Hartnell – Briere – Leino line last year.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
MAB is very good at the one thing he does. Shame he’s terrible at everything else. Good on Boucher to find a way to use him.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. The wolves are out for Boucher after tonight though.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, I have to wonder. I mean, Brewer and especially Hedman aren’t exactly chopped liver, so I find it interesting that Boucher buries them that way. That’s not line matching anymore, that is zone matching. Interesting.
I think that’s the latest thing that NHL coaches are doing that no one in the MSM media is picking up on. First it was Vancouver doing it, then it spread to Chicago. Now Edmonton, Montreal, Tampa and I’m sure a few others are using it as a serious part of their line strategy.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
Vancouver is even more extreme this season. All my matchup tables are set up to show line matching, but not zone matching. Which kinda sucks when the habs get up against a zone matching team.
Actually, the Oilers are zone matching if you look at the players’s splits, but it still shows up as a line match in yesterday’s game.
Finding a way to represent matchups trough either head to head or zone match would be pretty cool.
Coaches aren’t stupid. Vancouver discovered the first way to build up your star’s scoring post lockout outside of soft minutes and powerplay time. That was bound to be replicated by teams with the forward lineup to use it.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
I just looked up Detroit on Behindthenet to see if they were line or zone matching.
Turns out that amongst players with at least 10 games played, Vlatteri Filpulla is the payer with the lowest zonestarts: 56%.
Holy fucking christ.
Huh… Detroit is good.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
Good possession teams that are losing tend to get insane zone starts due to score effects.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
That’s true. I’m still wondering though, what is Detroit going to be in 5 years? They don’t have a single star player in their cupboards right now, and all the stars on the team are getting old.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
Well, Nyquist, Tatar, Jarnkrok and Pulkinnen have upside. One or two might replicate the Zetterberg experience if not the Datsyuk level of play.
Lidstrom is nearly irreplaceable though. I’d expect them to be a regular playoff team, if not a regular division winner with how good of an organization they have. At the very least they rejoin the world of ordinary teams.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
Pulkinnen in particular is a guy I like a lot.
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Since I figured out how to use timeonice I’ve been checking that after every game. Habs aren’t Detroit good, but they’re good.
Is Detroit still good this year, the narrative is that they’re falling apart at the seams.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
Wow. Unless I’m reading that wrong, Zetterberg is ridiculously dominant yet has one of the worst PDOs I’ve ever seen.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe Ken Holland will have the worst brain cramp of his life and we can grab Zets on the cheap. #Nevergonnahappen
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
I’d like to take the time and jot down each team’s numbers to see where the Habs fit, but my brain is fried tonight.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
The script takes a long time to run. I wanted to do that for last season but ran out of patience when I saw how long it took to load the Habs.
I was thinking that too, takes forever.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
Their PDO must be falling sharply lately.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:01 PM EST up reply actions
They must have been at like 1200 at one point. Crazy.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
They must be getting better shots then! – Joe Fan
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:14 PM EST up reply actions
Better finishers!!
The Canucks were the highest scoring team in the league last season and their even strength shooting percentage was 8.2%.
Well Phil Kessel is obviously > Daniel Sedin!
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, I’m a tad shocked. Boston is only .509
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:17 PM EST up reply actions
Make that .520, I read it wrong.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
It’s a dynasty!
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
Only one comma, just like tampa.
http://www.timeonice.com/mplayershots1112tied.php?team=S.J&first=20001&last=21230&hv=0
Y’know, I think Montreal is 3-0 against teams that have better tied-Fenwick than they do, and 1-7-2 against teams that don’t. Clearly, this only serves to demonstrate my theory that they should go back to sucking.
Speaking of which, Buffalo is shockingly terrible.
And all our predictions about Ville Leino are coming true right in front of our eyes.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Well the QMJHL/Russia game tonight has been awesome.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 9:48 PM EST reply actions
A few defensive gaffs but overall pretty well. He was relied upon as much as Gormley was which is a damn good sign, and scored a nice goal in the shootout.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
Too bad Bournival wasn’t there. Looking at the stats at Bruce’s site there is a pretty convincing argument that he’s the best center in the Q right now.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
Considering how close the games were him and Huberdeau could have really made a difference.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
Puck Worlds here on SBNation. He went and trolled the QMJHL stats for an article.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
Morgan Ellis was also in the lineup. Anyone know how did on the lower pairings?
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
I think he played 2nd pairing and was okay but didn’t stand out.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 9, 2011 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
Probably a good sign. He’s a not stand out kind of defenseman.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 9, 2011 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
Beaulieu and Gormley weren’t good enough to handle the ridiculously good Gusev-Grigorenko-Kucherov line. I had Kucherov last year right up there with Schiefele when we were making our mock draft picks (Beaulieu was a couple before that). Even I had a Russian factor mixed in there, he’s just ridiculously good. And those three have all played together before and know exactly where they are going to be in the offensive zone, so it was about as tough of a matchup as you can get. That pair would have been better off going up against Yakupov tomorrow.
Grigorenko has always outperformed Yakupov at international tournaments, is a 6’2"+ centre and is 7 months younger than Yakupov. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that his upside is as high as Nail’s is.
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I also imagine familarity was a factor for that pairing versus that line. Gormley and Beaulieu probably were just thrown together unlike those three and Beaulieu was on his wrong side.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 10, 2011 1:58 AM EST up reply actions
On an unrelated note, I hear your boy Dietz is playing great. I’ve heard nothing but good things about that kid, and I understand his offense is coming out of Elliot’s shadow this year. Could be another Timmins late round gem.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 10, 2011 2:00 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, well, just for giggles, despite already having 18 million in cap hit on the IR for the Phoenix game, Cammy’s also gonna miss it.
Cripes….
Yeah enough is enough.
Also according to the media types, Gomez is cleared to play but JM decided not to play him. WTF??
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 10, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Desharnais would be getting murdered if not for two first-line forwards on his wing and Martin won’t play Gomez even though he’s cleared to play?
That doesn’t make any sense. I assume Gomez actually isn’t cleared to play.
I didn’t even think about it, but you’re probably right. I’m guessing Gomez is cleared for contact, not for play.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 10, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
I’m pretty sure cleared for play means something different than ready to play. It just means that they are physically capable of playing but not that they’re necessarily ready to play at an NHL level.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 10, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
Just another reason why it is amazing that their possession numbers are where they are.
Every time you are ready to bury them……
There is this massive chasm between the possession play of the first pairing and the second which pretty much entirely a result of Hamrlik/Wisniewski being gone and Markov not playing yet.
by Stephan Cooper on Nov 10, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
He hasn’t practiced with the team yet has he?
by MathMan on Nov 10, 2011 2:24 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I believe he has worn non-contact jerseys when practicing. I don’t think he’s been in practice with full-contact.
He was wearing a no-contact blue jersey this morning according to several sources.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Nov 10, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
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