The Noon Number

.979 - Caps' save percentage while shorthanded over the past seven games, as they've allowed just one goal on 48 shots against (in 50.15 shorthanded minutes)

over 1 year ago J.P. 15 comments 0 recs |

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Now, let’s talk about that PP…

You had me at no problem.

by Ninjak on Jan 3, 2011 12:01 PM EST reply actions

PK has been very solid.

Get your asses out of your heads -BB

by Cap-O-Vens on Jan 3, 2011 12:09 PM EST reply actions

50.15 shorthanded minutes – is that about 25 minor penalties over that stretch?

So that’s about two shots per poweplay. And they’re not allowing high-quality chances, for what it’s worth.

In sum total: wow. PK and goalie are working in concert, and it’s giving some amazing results. Now if we could just get our powerplay back above 20%.

by Wheeler on Jan 3, 2011 12:12 PM EST reply actions

Some of it is improved PK – I don’t think the gain this season is all luck – but it’s also just getting better bounces and goalies making their stops. Remember at the start of the season when the PK went on a tear, but was bouyed by a 97% sv%? That kind of thing doesn’t last over the course of a season, especially shorthanded; we saw a stretch of less than phenomenal goaltending that lead to a dramatic fall in PK%.

That said, I’m definitely noticing fewer chances in the games I’m getting a chance to record chances for.

"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box

by Knee high to a duck on Jan 3, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

That’s the number I am as much impressed with … a bit less than a shot a minute on the PK. Even if your PK save percentage isn’t great, allowing that few number of chances will mean a lot of penalties killed.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Jan 3, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

That’s like playing almost a full game short-handed and only allowing one goal-against.

Ok, that’s not really like that at all for a number of good reasons, but it sounds pretty cool.
Fun w/ stats.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. - Michael Jordan

by Icebat on Jan 3, 2011 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Also count in that 50.15 shorthanded minutes a Goal For!

Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."

Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.

by breaklance on Jan 3, 2011 12:42 PM EST reply actions

On a somewhat related note

Overall the Caps defense and penalty kill has played well for stretches to start the season and again recently. Is it conincidence that these stretches have coincided with Tom Poti being largely out of the lineup?

by cainoo7x on Jan 3, 2011 12:47 PM EST reply actions

I’m more inclined to think of it as hot goalie play than anything else — I’m not buying that any team can cause a 3% PP sh% against a variety of opponents for any length of time.

"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box

by Knee high to a duck on Jan 3, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Completely unsustainably high.

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by J.P. on Jan 3, 2011 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Understood. With the D playing well right now, I guess I’m just curious to see if Erskine automatically gets bumped from the lineup when Poti returns from injury. Of course, the D might not be playing so well by the time he is ready to go.

by cainoo7x on Jan 3, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

If Erskine is playing like this I’d rather take the chance to rest Green/Carlson/whoever else is banged up.

Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"

by Rob Parker on Jan 3, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Appropriately, Varly is the #1 star this week in the NHL.

by b.orr4 on Jan 3, 2011 12:51 PM EST reply actions

Indeed he is :)

If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.

by Becca H on Jan 3, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

How is that possible?

With the obvious lack of defensive depth, relying too much on outscoring opponents, and having someone like Mike Green back there who can’t play defense, and…

/snark

From the opening of the season the Caps have been working on the PK and it has been obvious to those of us who have watched most/all of the games that they’ve really improved dramatically. Here’s hoping this continues until…oh June 15th or so…

Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy

by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 3, 2011 1:10 PM EST reply actions