Friday Caps Clips: Winging West
by EmilyB on Jan 6, 2012 7:01 AM EST
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Notes and assorted whatnot from yesterday's practice at Kettler:
- In general. [Caps365 video (Hunter, Ovechkin, Knuble, Backstrom), 106.7 The Fan, RtR]
- The most welcome news of all - Nicklas Backstrom suited up and participated fully in the practice. [WaPo (and again), WashTimes (and again), CSNW]
- The most entertaining news of all - Karl Alzner apparently lost a bet (and is a man of his word). Oh, Canada. [WaPo, WashTimes, Alex Ovetjkin, CSNW, RMNB, Caps365 (video)]
- On the road again and into hostile territory. [Caps OT, KoL, DCEx, Dump 'n Chase]
- A look at Alex Ovechkin 's captaincy, two years in... [WashTimes]
- ... and his current scoring streak, seven games in. [Backhand Shelf, DCEx, NHL.com]
- If Mike Knuble says "Beer me," get the man a frosty one and pull up a stool. [Backhand Shelf]
- Getting to know Mathieu Perreault. [NBC Washington]
- The Hershey Bears are preparing for their Outdoor Classic:
- Practice update. [Patriot-News]
- All hands on deck. [Patriot-News]
- Just another day at the rink. [Caps Outsider]
- Looking to shatter an attendance record. [PA Puck]
- "Look ma, I'm on the teevee!" [PA Puck]
- Soaking it all in. [Patriot-News]
- Congratulations to Evgeny Kuznetsov and Team Russia, who take home the world junior silver medal after an overtime 1-0 loss to Team Sweden (and Kuzya has plenty of other hardware to show for his time in Alberta as well). [RMNB]
- Finally, happy 36th birthday to Richard Zednik and happy 57th to Alex Forsythe.
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The Capitals have not won a game in San Jose (in regulation) since October 30, 1993.
Caps lineup:
1 Shawn Anderson
2 Craig Berube
3 Peter Bondra
4 Randy Burridge
5 Sylvain Cote
6 Brian Curran
7 Kevin Hatcher
8 Al Iafrate
9 Calle Johansson
10 Keith Jones
11 Dmitri Khristich
12 Steve Konowalchuk
13 Todd Krygier
14 Alan May
15 Kelly Miller
16 Michal Pivonka
17 Dave Poulin
18 Mike Ridley
Rick Tabbaracci stopped 25 of 27. Goals from Bondra, Berube, Jones and Ridley. Two assists from Khristich.
San Jose:
1 Dale Craigwell
2 Gaetan Duchesne
3 Todd Elik
4 Pat Falloon
5 Johan Garpenlov
6 Rob Gaudreau
7 Igor Larionov
8 Sergei Makarov
9 David Maley
10 Jeff Norton
11 Jeff Odgers
12 Sandis Ozolinsh
13 Tom Pederson
14 Mike Sullivan
15 Michal Sykora
16 Ray Whitney
17 Rob Zettler
18 Doug Zmolek
Arturs Irbe stopped 24 of 28. Goals from Makarov and Pederson. Two assists for Pat Falloon. Sykora and Zettler were both -2.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 7:31 AM EST reply actions
Yep. Today’s Nooner is related to this, so let’s save our #LastTimeCapsWoninSJ schtick for there, if possible.
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It’s still hard to fathom that almost 20 years later, Ray Whitney’s still playing.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 7:40 AM EST up reply actions
Guy’s 8th in active games played right now. 3 players above him have worn a Capitals jersey. Go.
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Aye.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Did you know DC United pays almost double the amount of rent at RFK than the MLS average? Help Keep United in DC to receive a fair deal on a lease and help develop a path to build a stadium with local investment and incentives.
Not many active players left from then. Jagr. Pronger. Arnott. Selanne. Hamrlik. Lidstrom. B’lieve that might be it.
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Sounds likely. Modano was the last player who played in the 1980s.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 7:46 AM EST up reply actions
Interestingly enough, 93-94 was Arnott’s first season, 33/35/68. Has never topped that goal amount (matched it in 08-09), and only topped that point total twice, with 72 in 07-08 with NSH, and 76 in 05-06 with DAL. Only topped that assist total 4 times.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 7:51 AM EST up reply actions
Selanne never topped his 76 goals from a season earlier, either. Those two should’ve quit while they were on top. Dummies.
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He should have walked out like Costanza post-record celebration.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 7:56 AM EST up reply actions
Selanne actually said he was going to only spend a couple years in the NHL and then finish his career in Europe. Dummy doesn’t understand the meaning of “a couple.” Or “years.” Maybe he meant “decades.”
Please, call me F&B.
The way he’s been going maybe he still could have a productive decade in the SEL.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Racecar driving in his future?
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Right, I wasn’t saying it was likely, just that he’s still got the skill and gas left in the tank to pull it off, had he wanted to.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Initially I thought this was a reply to JP’s “Racecar driving” comment.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
No, but Driver 8 is pretty badass.
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How about “Selanne the Cat”?
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Did you know DC United pays almost double the amount of rent at RFK than the MLS average? Help Keep United in DC to receive a fair deal on a lease and help develop a path to build a stadium with local investment and incentives.
by Bald Pollack on Jan 6, 2012 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
he’s on that puck like butter on a hot biscuit…
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 6, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
I bet on the Slovak. I bet on the Swede.
If I’d bet on ol’ Teemu, I’d be a free man tout suite.
Well Teemu was a race car, and I wish he was mine.
He never drank Gatr’ade, he always drank wine.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2012 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not only playing, but leading his team in points.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Associate Editor at Five For Howling.
And for more perspective:
1) Bill Clinton was campaigning for his 1st term of the Presidency and the original George Bush was President.
2) The original “Mighty Ducks” movie had been released earlier that month. (There was obviously no Anaheim Ducks team since the team was named in honor of that movie’s success.)
3) Alex Ovechkin was 8 years old. Mike Green and Jay Beagle had both turned 8 that month. Wonder if either Green or Beagle begged their parents to take them to “Mighty Ducks”. My then 8 year old daughter had begged me (and, of course, I took her to that one and all the subsequent incarnations of that movie when they came out.)
4) Dmitry Orlov and Cody Eakin were 2 years old (as was my younger daughter, one of our nieces, and one of our nephews, with the niece and the nephew each born the same week as Eakin and Orlov, respectively).
5) John Paul II was still Pope.
6) Dmitry Khristich wore #8 at the time.
And btw, was Sergei Makarov any relation to the Russian goalie in this year’s World Junior games?
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Yep. Today’s Nooner is related to this, so let’s save our #LastTimeCapsWoninSJ schtick for there, if possible.
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by J.P. on Jan 6, 2012 7:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ovi sense of style was at its peak at that time...
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jan 6, 2012 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh god, where did he even find that outfit?
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 6, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
that outfit (and notice Nikita’s shirt says “baseball”) was all the rage in Russia circa 1993.
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Game broadcast was on HTS?
I think Smokin’ Al was doing the games even at that point.
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Was that the Kenny Albert Era? I think that’s when they still had split teams depending on the network with Jeff Rimer pre soy-sauce hair.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 7:57 AM EST up reply actions
Aye.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Did you know DC United pays almost double the amount of rent at RFK than the MLS average? Help Keep United in DC to receive a fair deal on a lease and help develop a path to build a stadium with local investment and incentives.
Well, the team let Mike Fornes go in 1990. And Jeff Rimer was gone to FLA in 1993. Wiki says Kenny Albert: "1992–1995: Washington Capitals play-by-play on Home Team Sports "
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Albert did the Detroit/Dallas game on NBC Sports the other night. Was like taking a trip in the wayback machine. I always liked that guy’s voice.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 8:15 AM EST up reply actions
Fornes is still the owner of the most famous call in Caps history…
"…Murphy starts the rush… he hits Hunter…he’s in alone…a shot…AND A GOAL!!!!!"
I’d like to hear a John Walton “good morning, good afternoon, good night [insert name of Western Conference team here]….the Washington Capitals are your Stanley Cup Champions,” but hey…that’s just me.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 6, 2012 8:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I dug him up on Google a while back, and I think he’s doing boat tours in Michigan on the Lakes and writing articles in one of the local papers.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions
(and he’s part of a Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Band)
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
Here’s the link for “Whispers Of the North”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down, of the broadcaster known as “Mike Fornes-y.”
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by J.P. on Jan 6, 2012 9:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If you could read his mind, dude, what a tale his thoughts could tell. He just wants some old time hockey, like the days when our center was Dale.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2012 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Sigh. The Caps, annually, and the Wreck of the Ed Fitz have way too much in common.
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Yeah, because about 7pm in April we’re usually saying “Fellas, it’s been good to know ya”.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The Fitz sank in 1975…same year Caps finished up worst record in modern NHL history. Both featured red…caps jerseys, The Fitz’ hull.
I don’t think they were related, but still…
If you've read this far...seek help.
OT/ Always been a fan of the 379-LP set Gordon Lightfoot Sings Every Song Ever Written (I miss SCTV)
What’s a “tape or cassette?”
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
Something for people who are too good for 8-tracks.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 6, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
where have you gone Pat Falloon…
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 6, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
hmm. Wikipedia says back to Manitoba. question answered!
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 6, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
Nicklas Backstrom: SUIT UP!
"That's hockey. You never know what's going to happen. It's a tough sport. No tooth, a broken nose, but I'm looking good [laughs]." - #8
Ovi has recently been taking his advice.
You know what I do when I’m sad? I stop being sad and be awesome instead!
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.
True story.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 6, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Saw that Backstrom and Johannson watched the WJC game together in San Jose and started to think of Road roommates. I remember that Backstrom and Green are roommates, as are Ovi and Semin. Does anyone know who rooms with Johannson? Vokoun? Orlov? Was wondering if they try to put countryman together?
If Alzner donned the Russian jersey at practice, does Ovechkin wear the Tre Kronor at practice now?
If you've read this far...seek help.
That’s what I am wondering as well. (One of FB friends who lives in San Jose asked me what time practice is.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Luckily (count me as one why doesn’t want to see Ovi in a Swedish jersey) they’re on the road so the Swedes probably don’t have a Swedish jersey with them. Not that they couldn’t buy one, but there might not be time for that in their schedule. And where would you find a Swedish jersey in SJ anyway.
Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I made sure that at least one Sharks/Douglas Murray fan will be there with her Tre Kronor jersey.
by Malin A on Jan 6, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Often they intentionally separate the younger countryman from one another to try to get them to learn English quicker. Brian Willsie was Alex Ovechkin’s first road roomie (I believe that was at 8’s request, too, though that might be myth).
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I believe Ovi made that particular request.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I think that may have been a myth, though.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 6, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If it was myth, the NY Times got it wrong.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 9:12 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
This is not an episode of Mythbusters. I need my illusions to keep me warm in this winter of discontent. The NYT is the paper of record and Ovi wanted to room with a non Russian dude to help him learn English.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Plus, just having an older guy to make sure Joel Ward doesn’t sleep through meetings is probably helpful.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 6, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I’m not sure why you’d need to do that with the Swedes, however, since most of them speak better English than approximately 60% of Americans.
Unleash the Apathy.
Hey, let’s not forget our Canadian brothers. I’d bet a round that MoJo could score higher on the verbal portion of the SATs (they still have that, yeah?) than Mike Green.
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I’m pretty sure if he read “Mike Green : Strippers :: Medici Family : Michelangelo” he would think those were some kind of new emoticons in there.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Jan 6, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 7 recs
He’d probably think it was a tweet about Greeny playing the new Assassin’s Creed
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.
I spent a year being an advisor to freshman when I was in college. I seriously had an Canadian (from Alberta) ask me, after explaining that non-native English speakers should take English 1, “So, I should take English 1, right? Because you guys speak American English.” facepalm.
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Who rooms with Hendricks?????
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 6, 2012 7:51 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Johansson?
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by J.P. on Jan 6, 2012 7:53 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
I thought it was Carlson...
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
Coming in late this morning and loving this sequence – best clips ever.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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Im hoping we offer a package to get Perry from the west coast
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by Cap-O-Vens on Jan 6, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Me? KP? or CP? And Im quite alright if your answer is D. all of the above…
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Well Green is with the team too
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.
I’ve been wondering who Johansson’s roomie is as well. Green and Nicky had roomed together for quite a while so I presume MJ had a different rommmate. But, while Green was out for so long, I wonder if Nicky made a switcheroo of roomates
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Maybe they watched in one of their rooms but aren’t roommates. Or swapped roommates knowing they’d want to watch the game and it would be late. We do know Neuvy and Matty P room together. Carlson once tweeted he felt bad for Neuvy because Matty P was watching TSN and it was all French.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 8:13 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Ignore the “late” part. They’re on the west coast. Duh. I haven’t had coffee.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 8:18 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Here’s the quotes from Expressen.
#Caps two former Swedish WJC captains Nicklas Bäckström and Marcus Johansson watched the WJC final together in San Jose.
NB19: “Me & Marcus watched the game here in SJ, we were really nervous, but SWE deserved the win. They controlled the game completely.”
Nice one. Hope it’s a happy morning over there in the Land of Lingonberry.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Its only a party if it was MJ NB & the Alexes watching the game. Centers vs their wingmen. Lets just hope no one walked away going “yeah we’ll see how your passes go saturday, hope I don’t shank them!”
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.
Jim Johnson did a spot with XM Home Ice yesterday. I think he mentions “playing better in your own end” into every answer he gives to every question about the team.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
The more and more I hear Jim Johnson in interviews the more I like the guy. I really like that they have brought a more modern stats based approach as I hear Johnson talk about how they track scoring chances all the time.
Supposedly the teams most invested in the stats are San Jose and Pittsburgh. Not a bad model to follow (pun intended).
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by red army line on Jan 6, 2012 8:46 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
CHI, CGY and TBL also have hockey analytics people on staff.
There are also seven other teams that use fancystats, but don’t disclose.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
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It depends on how you define it. If you mean non-traditional (G, A, P, etc.) stats I’d bet every team has something they use. They just don’t talk about it because it gives away too much.
Please, call me F&B.
I think this is the case. At one of the fan forums I attended GMGM was asked specifically about their use of advanced metrics. He said that they did use them and they tended to bolster or correlate with what they were seeing on the ice. But he refused to elaborate further. Part of their secret sauce—like Neil’s—I presumed.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
It’s not hard to envision the team taking the generally accepted definition of “scoring chance” and than grading each individual one (1-10, A-F, whatever) so that they’re not all treated the same.
And that’d work for them in analyzing their own players, but it’d be a disaster to try to introduce into the larger discourse on the matter. A simple, binary “is that a scoring chance or not” is hard enough to reach agreement on.
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That’s what I’m trying to get at with my questions. I don’t see how all scoring chances can be rated as equal. There has to be something more to it. After all, a scoring chance from Hendricks or Chimera shouldn’t be looked at the same as a scoring chance from Ovechkin or Backstrom.
Some of the recent success, despite scoring chances for the team remaining the same under BB and DH, has to be that Ovechkin’s scoring chances have increased under DH.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
Well, I disagree that it’s player-related – a “Grade A” chance is a “Grade A” chance no matter who takes it. But treating a goal-mouth tap-in the same as a shot from just inside the dot with two defenders in the way just doesn’t make sense.
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Agree.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
So Boyd Gordon shooting from the faceoff dot is the same as Stamkos shooting from the faceoff dot?
Please, call me F&B.
In terms of the chance generated, absolutely. Because you’re defining the chance.
But I’m wagering that Stammer’s conversion rate on “Grade B” chances crushes Gordon’s.
So the chance is identical, but the likelihood of it being converted varies. It’s not like teams work harder to generate scoring chances for the guys likely to convert them, is it? I’d think they work hard to generate the chance itself.
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Really? I don’t think anyone is willing to concede legitimate scoring chances to anyone. I don’t see that as a recipe for success.
But any chance is going to have two components – the opportunity itself (which would be player-agnostic) and the likelihood that it’s converted (which is player-specific). So in the overall calculus of “chance quality,” the player taking the shot is going to be a very significant factor.
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I think it all depends on how “Grade A” is defined.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
I wish I had the time to log and grade chances, esp the way BSH and Blueshit Banter do.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Can you link or provide example? I looked on Blueshirt Banter but I’m not familiar enough with that site to find where they track those.
Just curious what factors they take into account when grading. Thanks.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Can you link or provide example?
New York Rangers’ Scoring Chances From the Trip That Was
Zone entries and scoring chances
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Knee high mentioned that he went through a recording period where he used “pucker factor” for chances rather than the cut and dried geographical definition that Neil uses.
I believe he noted that while he came up with fewer chances than Neil, the ratios were almost always very close.
Fwiw.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I remember. Also, I am part of a larger group that logs the chances, so for an apples-to-apples comparison I need to follow the “rules” we have agreed on, even if I disagree with some of them.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
But even within those “rules,” there’s room for subjectivity (just like the official scorers tracking hits or giveaways or shots or even assists).
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I’ve had problems with the definition of scoring chances for a while, but until someone can think of something better (which I doubt my puny brain will be able to), I suppose we can continue with it.
Right, and having the data can only be a good thing. I just think that when you have problematic models and definitions you need to temper conclusions accordingly.
Please, call me F&B.
Are scoring chances only attributed to the person who attempts the shot? I mean, shouldn’t Kuznetsov been given that scoring chance last night as well as the shooter (the cross-ice pass late in the period that we’ve all been talking about)?
Sometimes the shooter is secondary (or third) in importance to the chance.
I think they get tracked both ways. Individual scoring chances (shooter) and scoring chances while on ice (all skaters).
Please, call me F&B.
I think they get tracked both ways. Individual scoring chances (shooter) and scoring chances while on ice (all skaters).
Correct. I have now gone a step further and added in shot type and distance, but it is proving to be harder than anticipated because the time of chance isn’t matching up with NHL PxP logs so I have not made it public.
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Well NHL teams have a stronger incentive to use secret sauce. You don’t want other teams knowing exactly what metrics you use. A) you don’t want them ripping you off and getting better, B) you don’t want to give them any more insight into how you are looking at players because it can have ramifications in trade negotiations. In terms of trying to be part of public discourse that advances the state of public knowledge and the ability of fans/bloggers/journalists to discuss the game I see very little justification for secret sauce.
Please, call me F&B.
I see very little justification for secret sauce.
Unless the secret sauce developed by fans/bloggers/journalists is being used by NHL teams. Which they are.
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Yes.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
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Sabermetrics is relatively new to hockey, and hockey being a completely different sport in nature than baseball, the statistical development has been more difficult. I’m not even sure that the metrics those teams Neil mentions even use the same stats that Behind the Net has developed.
I think the general idea is to use the best information available. We don’t have better than basic scoring for early eras, for example. As soon as they put a position tracker in the puck, Corsi becomes obsolete I would think.
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by red army line on Jan 7, 2012 3:30 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
WJC – Fun game to watch last night but the Nyquil-tini quicked in too quickly and I missed the OT. Our boy looked good, not great, but I see a decent player there.
The game itself was sloppy, lots of missed passes and neutral zone turnovers…I had to keep reminding myself these are mostly still teenagers.
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Ultimately Russia had already played its gold medal game – against Canada. And they were a very young team. Stas Galiev might have been a difference-maker in a game like last night’s, but it was not to be.
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Grigorenko was also playing on one leg and Yakupov left (not to return, I believe) during the OT.
H/t to the Swedes, though – they were awesome and deep in a way the Russians just weren’t.
Plus, every time I hear “Friberg,” I think they’re saying “Freebird.” So there’s that.
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I hear he has a hard time making a line chayayayayayayayayayayayayayange.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 8:23 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Which is why always politely asks them to give him three steps towards the door.
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I think he’s just put off by that smell. Every time he comes around he’s sniffing and asking everyone else, “can’t you smell that smell?”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
Hell, it disorients him sometimes – saw him asking, “What’s my name?” on the bench.
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I’ve heard he can be pretty annoying on the bench in those situations, especially when the team is losing. “Am I losin’?”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 8:38 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he needs to move on. Tuesday’s gone.
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Absolutely. Or he’ll be in double trouble.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
And to bring it back on-topic and wrap this up… did somebody say, “”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h83-I6FJwAU" target="new">Double Trouble"?
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I was kind of hoping that youtube link would go to Stevie Ray Vaughn. I feared that it would go to Jean and Liz Sagal. I would have been intrigued by Elvis.
But in the end, it came back home, which was nice.
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by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2012 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
I was kind of hoping SBN wouldn’t Corvo my link.
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Hurt his knee I believe. Yakupov I mean.
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by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 8:25 AM EST up reply actions
Was on crutches at one point, yeah.
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I heard he was carried out on a stretcher. I can’t remember where I read that though.
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Becca RT’d it. On the face it seemed very serious – oh no, wheeled out on a stretcher!- but if you have to go to the hospital for x-rays and it’s safer to take the ambulance (or it’s a liability for someone to drive you) it’s not like you get to ride shotgun. They buckle you down into the stretcher.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 8:34 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
So much for Fail for Nail. Yakupov dinged, Grigorenko dinged…going to be interesting to see who’s available on draft day when the Caps come up.
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Galchenyuk, too, of course. Murray may go first after all.
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by red army line on Jan 6, 2012 8:45 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
I didn’t see a tremendous amount of the WJC – like, maybe three periods total – but during that time Yakupov didn’t do a lot to make me think that he’s a consensus #1 overall pick. He didn’t show a lot of burst or pop.
But then I didn’t watch a whole lot.
Anyone see a whole bunch of the Russians and have an opinion on the matter?
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It was extremely lopsided. The Swedes were all over them pretty much the entire time. The total shot count was 58-17. The Russians had a lot of trouble getting out of their end and the Swedes took away almost all of their room and were very good at making them chase the puck. The Russians kept making these awful long passes that were just prime for a turnover. You could tell they were getting very frustrated. The goalies were amazing. It was really a goalie duel, and Makarov deserves a ton of credit for stopping 57 shots.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 9:00 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
…reply fail on my part. That was supposed to be a reply under NJNJ’s post.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 9:02 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I didn’t watch a ton but I noticed Yakupov a lot last night before he got injured. Kid’s got some moves. Hard to make too strong a judgment based on that, though, since the Swedes really ran the show and his offensive strengths weren’t highlighted as much as they could if the Russians had…y’know, gotten their asses out of their heads.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
In the RUS/CAN game, when it was 6-1 and Russia was just holding them in (I think this was during the 4 on 4 when Jenner got the spearing major), Yakupov picked up a loose puck at the top of his zone while Canada was changing. He did three loops with the puck about the size of the faceoff circles without taking a single stride. That’s one of the little things that doesn’t look impressive and then you realize, “Wow, he’s moving full speed and surveying the ice without even pushing himself. It was all edges.”
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 6, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
Does anyone know if they are going to replay this game or where one might find it?
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I think TSN/NHLN was showing replays, and someone mentioned www.fasthockey.com but I can’t vouch for that.
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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 6, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
Well, it’s hard to dominate guys two draft years older than you. I thought Yakupov was alright. I was more impressed with Grigorenko. Dude is great with puck possession, and was only on one leg with second liners at best.
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by red army line on Jan 6, 2012 1:05 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
no, he’s 18. DOB: October 6, 1993. he missed the 2011 draft cut-off by a few weeks.
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(But not close enough that someone would draft him and try to argue he’s eligible due to leap years.)
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which may be one of the best draft stories ever. I mean, really. Leap year days added up to make him eligible? REALLY?
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It’s almost ingenious.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Ingenious!!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
So it’s ingenious?
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It’s almost ingenious. Who thinks that way?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
This is the best draft story ever
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by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2012 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
Pronman was lamenting how downhill Russia’s D development has gone. Maybe the Caps got one of the last good ones. Or just a freak.
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I’d lean toward the latter. The things that Orlov is great at are the natural skills. The coached skills are the things that he was deficient at.
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Exactly. He’s got great hands, great skating, great shot, but poor judgement and defensive awareness.
Unleash the Apathy.
Agree. I haven’t decided if his skating was undersold (or at least under-anticipated by me) and he’s able to make up for positional lapses with his wheels, or he’s just better than I thought he’d be.
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It’s pretty remarkable how well homegrown our blueline is. I know NSH and the Rags have done well with their D picks, but I’d stack the Caps up there as well.
Cross check and all call.
Erskine, Hamrlik, Wideman (and Poti) not homegrown
Caps D draft picks: Carlson, Alzner, Green, Schultz, Orlov; note: Orlov the only one not drafted in the first round.
Oh yeah and then there’s 2005…
Orlov the only one not drafted in the first round.
I think that makes his performance as a rookie more impressive. Not as surprising if a 1st rounder performs as well as a rookie.
by kingbonehead on Jan 6, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
I think the draft day view was that Orlov was first round talent but fell to the second due to the Russian factor. But who knows how much of that was just blowing smoke.
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 6, 2012 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
Oh yeah and then there’s 2005…
It still bugs me that folks accept as an abstract idea that no GM has a 100% hit rate, and then we cling so strongly onto every “miss.”
Folks, Pokuluk and Gustafsson are what misses look like. Every GM has them. Those are ours. We need to let ‘em go. It’s not every GM that went Johansson-Orlov-Eakin in 2009. That’s pretty impressive, when you look back on it.
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by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
As soon as I posted that, I wanted to say “relative to his hands/wheels/shot.”
His judgement hasn’t been nearly as poor as I thought it would be after watching him run around like a squirrel on meth during last year’s WJC.
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Completely agree. After last year’s WJC, I remember thinking “interesting player, but the dude has no clue about defensive positioning.”
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 6, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
that’s a mental image I’m not going to be able to get out of my head today.
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Yeah, every camp he’s been in over here, too, he spent a lot of time chasing guys and lining up big hip checks. Less so this fall, though, and he’s been surprisingly conservative on the ice for the Caps.
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I think now that he’s here, he’s more focused on playing a sound game rather than trying to be noticed.
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with that being said, he looked incredibly undercooked mentally at the rookie camp and I’m completely flabbergasted he’s not only here, but by any metric deserves to stay in the pros.
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I was watching him in a scrimmage at training camp, and was impressed with his poise. Even compared to some of the guys who have been to a few camps, and had a few seasons of AHL experience, he seemed more comfortable taking the extra half second to make a good pass, or let the play develop a bit.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
Shot has impressive velocity, as touted and anticipated, but he’s got a lot more trouble getting it on net than I would have thought.
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NHL defenses are more capable of taking away time and space than KHL/junior/AHL defenses. Less time to aim the shot = fewer shots on net.
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Yet even when he’s had an open look, he’s whanging them high and wide.
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yeah, most whangs are high and to the right
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 6, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
He smokes in between periods and is destined to grow an awesome mullet to try to distract from his increasing baldness up top?
Sign. Me. Up.
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Just keep him away from the second coming of Gary Leeman.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
I was out midway through two. So tired.
Those shot totals were crazy. It was like 33-4 Sweden at one point.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
I’m so tired. Managed to stay up. The third period was the best, because the Russians picked up their game and finally outshot the Swedes. When Kuz’s shot rang off the post I thought the Russians might pull the game out. But they were pooped in OT. It was a matter of time.
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by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 8:23 AM EST up reply actions
And how about Kuzya’s spinning backhand pass in the final minute?
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Oh that was money…cant believe Gus stopped that..they really had no business winning that game…it woulda been highway robbery if the Russians pulled it out..
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what the hell is this all about…JP ever seen it before…do you even see it now?
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nevermind I refreshed and it fixed…I replied about kuzyas pass and just the bottom line (my handle and time) and my avatar showed up about 6 times as new comments…weird..
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Yeah that’s been killing me too. It posts my comments like 5 times.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
So I wasnt the only one… Mr. Smith is out there somewhere…
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That just completely blew my mind.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
HaHA Why is that?
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Just gorgeous. I can’t wait to see how he translates his game over here. He has the mad skills but was quite a risk taker.
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by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 9:44 AM EST up reply actions
That play was awesome, but it was also the epitome of “shit that likely won’t work in the NHL.”
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I don’t know about that – it was a good one-on-one move, he protected the puck and threw a pass across ice. I wouldn’t use it as my go-to move, but I’ve seen plenty of NHLers do similarly.
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A good NHL defenseman sees that coming, moves to intercept, and takes it back the other way. Plays like that happen in the NHL, but not with much frequency because they take too long to get off, they’re too telegraphed and the consequences of failure (i.e., a likely odd-man rush the other way) are too severe.
Unleash the Apathy.
What’s your point? It wasn’t like he did it every rush, did he? Plays like that happen, but not with much frequency. Ok, he didn’t do it with much frequency. But he has the talent and awareness to pull it off when it’s there, not sure how it’s a bad thing.
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My biggest issue with him (and the whole Russian team) was that when it was obvious that their one-on-one (or two or three or four) style of play wasn’t working, they didn’t change their game at all.
Which makes it more hilarious that Canada had no answer for it.
And that’s totally out of character for Russian hockey.
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And that’s fine with me. It was pretty telling when Kuz said “at least Canada won’t win Gold this year.”
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Even gassed, I had the strong inclination the only way they would have scored if Kuz had a hand in it. And it almost happened at the end of regulation.
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by Alz in the family on Jan 6, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
That’s my take on it. The two best chances as I recall were Kuz’s post-clanging shot on their PP and his amazing hail-mary pass at the end of the game. The risk of a turnover was worth the attempt given the timing of the play. Had it worked what a different conversation we would be having today.
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by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
My point is that he forced the play a lot and that he tries a lot of high-risk plays that likely won’t ingratiate him to north american coaches.
Unleash the Apathy.
No doubt the longer he’s not in the NHL, the more bad habits he’ll develop (GMGM said as much), but there’s something to be said for assessing the situation and making a great play, regardless of whether or not it’ll work in some other situation.
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Yeah that shit never works in the NHL.
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by Rob Parker on Jan 6, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
As much as those look identical, the handedness of the players makes that a really different play. Kane’s pass is made such that the puck is “up ice” from him, whereas Kuz’s pass is made such that the puck was behind him toward his own net. The potential for a turnover is much lower on what Kane did.
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Now that is the early front runner for “stretch of the year.” Don’t pull anything.
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by Rob Parker on Jan 6, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
So, you’re denying physics?
Kuznetsov’s pass: relatively blind (skating away from the direction of the pass), at the top of the circles, on the backhand with his stick facing back toward his own net.
Kane’s pass: only “blind” for a moment (skating toward where he passes except when he turns at the last second), below the dots, with his stick facing toward the opponent’s net.
The downside risk to Kuznetsov’s pass is rather high (interception and odd-man rush), whereas the downside risk to Kane’s pass is that the puck goes toward the net or gets deflected behind the net.
Unleash the Apathy.
And this is how I know I’m right.
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by Rob Parker on Jan 6, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, that’s geometry more than physics, but either way I dispute it.
The likelihood of a turnover has nothing to do with the position of the skater or his handedness. It has everything to do with where the D are. If you try to pass through the D, there is a greater chance of a turnover. If there is an open lane, there is a lower chance. I suspect that Kuz took the body position he did because that’s where the lane was, the only way to get the pass through. If he took your advice he’d be in a “better” body position and then force a puck right into a Swedish defender.
The impact of the turnover is where you have a point. If Kuz does turn it over then it’s a bigger problem. The likelihood doesn’t change though.
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On second viewing, Kuznetsov wasn’t nearly as high in the zone as I remembered. He’s still higher than Kane, however.
Moreover, there are three Swedish defensmen between Kuz and where he passed toward. Awesome that he got it through, but that was a turnover waiting to happen.
Unleash the Apathy.
Not really. There were 3 D in the screen, but only one could potentially have gotten in that passing lane. The man on Kuz overskated and was out of the play when Kuz hit the breaks and spun. One D was near the guy Kuz passed too, he could have picked the pass off. The other D was too high in the zone to make that play.
Please, call me F&B.
There were still more defensemen with an ability to get their stick on the pass than there were in the Kane example. You can slice it any way you like, but the Kuznetsov pass – while still awesome – was a much higher risk play.
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Nah. There was 1 D in each play. Unless you have some Canadian to American soil conversion rate.
And Russia had 3 guys back so it wasn’t going to be an odd-man rush against.
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That’s some fancy counting there.
You don’t think it’s possible that the guy with his back to the play (Kuz) and the streaking recipient of the pass could be beat up-ice by two of those Swedish defensemen? Because I’ve never seen that happen in hockey. Rushes in one direction followed by a turnover never result in a rush the other way. Nope. Doesn’t happen.
Unleash the Apathy.
Moreover, Kane is facing the place he’s eventually going to pass to, except for the moment that he spins and makes the pass, whereas Kuz is skating away from the area into which he fires blindly.
Kuz’s play was fucking sweet, no doubt, but I can definitely imagine a coach giving him a bit of a lecture were he to ever try that during a 4 v 4 overtime.
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My main issue with Kuz last night, other than some general sloppiness, was the length of his shifts. Yeah, he’s the captain, and yeah I understand that’s as much on the coaches as on him, but he was consistently out there for 30 seconds longer than his linemates—and noticeably so.
by DonnieKnutts on Jan 6, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
A general comment on the game that I don’t think was addressed (but I could have missed it) is the speed. Am I imagining things but does it not seem like the speed was faster in that game than your ‘typical’ NHL game….especially in the transition?
Right, the context matters. Russia was utterly dominated that game. The only way they were going to win was to get lucky. Playing conservative and not taking chances while waiting for the other team to have a breakdown was 100% a losing strategy for the Russians at the time Kuzya made that pass. It was well worth the risk.
Tempo is often very fast in the NCAA and Juniors because teams aren’t as organized defensively. Most NHL defensive systems are designed around limiting speed, which slows the tempo of the game.
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Favorite 24/7 moment from last night.
Giroux [to Lundqvist, from edge of crease]: “Hey, Hank, lemme score one tonight!” [Lundqvist swipes at him with goalie stick by way of reply.] “Just one?”
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Least favorite – no highlights of our Caps Rags game…
Also was Avery serious about the free refills on orange juice .. I guess I can for give him since he is waived more then the north shore of the big island…
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Meh. I read that the Caps got described as floaters. They should have included a bit of the game then. The Rags are rather smug at the moment. A pox on them.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions
Torts said, and I quote, “that team was dead in the water”. Interesting revisionist history, Tortorella. Someone sounds bitter.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Anyone have a video clip of it? A GIF with subtitles? Would love it.
Also, how is it revisionist history? The Caps were 17-15-2 when they played. He might have been wrong in his opinion (time will tell), but where’s the revisionism?
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He was talking about in-game.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Still, dumb opinion, not so much revisionism, is it?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I thought he was talking about it post-game or during the next practice with his team. “Dead in the water” after we destroyed the Rags rubbed me the wrong way.
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Jan 6, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
One big takeaway I have from 24/7 is that Torts has somehow got his team to buy in on the proposition that they are better and harder-working than everyone else. “We go right at them, we play north-south, we will win this game.”
My Torts-love expanded exponentially as a result of 24/7. I can, however, see how the magic could wear off for that guy.
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Later I will have to watch last night’s episode but I’ve enjoyed both coaches. The contrast between them is not as great (or at least not edited that way) as la between BB and Byslma.
But what’s interesting is that I just listened to Johnson on the XM radio link and he clearly believed that the Caps out chanced the Rags in that game. So maybe denigrating the opposing team—“dead in the water”—is part of Tort’s motivational repertoire.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve heard/read lots of stuff about his magic wearing off. Can someone please provide one example of that? He was fired from TBL not because his team quit on him, but because of some bad GMing and an ownership circus. Everything I’ve ever seen suggests his players love him.
Please, call me F&B.
Yeah. The ones that stunk. How dare a coach call out a goalie after a .750 sv% performance!
Funny how there weren’t any issues when Khabibulin played well.
Please, call me F&B.
I am not saying the goalies were any good, but he had a history of poor communication with goalies regardless of how they were playing. Not the only coach to have trouble with goalie communication…see a former Caps coach.
Huh. I thought TBL quit on him at the end. Maybe that’s just narrative.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
That’s not something I ever heard. They had no goaltending and almost no D. The three huge Ks to the forwards ended up boning the entire roster.
Please, call me F&B.
Well I googled Tortorella and “lost the room” and came up with nothing useful, so it appears I just made that up.
Shows you what I know.
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From USA Today story on Torts’s firing from TBL:
There was a sense this season that Tortorella’s message was no longer getting through to players in the locker room, however Feaster rejected the notion that the fiery coach lost the team.
“I don’t think that it was a matter of losing the locker room. Sometimes the message, especially if communicated by the same person, is not received maybe the way it was years ago,” the GM said, adding that there also were times this season when he and Tortorella didn’t see eye-to-eye on things
by Rather Bengt on Jan 6, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
Well, that’s usually the story, right? The Caps quit on Boudreau after 4 years and he’s nothing like Torts. It was just his time.
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 6, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah—and the Caps have the only coach-killer out of the many firings this Fall.
/stillbitterandtiredoflazymemes
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
That was funny. A brief interesting moment out of two teams that, I’m sorry, came across as pretty dull – at least to me. It speaks to how good a job HBO does that I was as entertained by the series as I was because compared to last year the “personalities” were nonexistent. Even Bryz got on my nerves after awhile – as I’ve said elsewhere, I can see how his shtick would get grating after awhile as a teammate.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Agree on Bryz. His “many faces of Bryz” comments in episode 3 made it pretty clear that his bizarro routine is pretty much an act, which makes him a lot less interesting to me.
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 6, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree. I think the way he acts is just him, sure he might have played it up some for TV, but he’s always been eccentric. Check out this interview in August 2010.
Right, but what’s to say that’s not an act?
by Dirk Dangler on Jan 6, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Someone else pointed it out a few days ago, but I agree in spades: when you produce, you can be eccentric and its charming. When you don’t produce, it’s just weird.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Eh, I’ve found it weird regardless. And I think I was influenced by the second (?) episode a bit where it was pretty clear his teammates have grown a bit tired of it, too. The whole scene where they’re eating together and Jagr moves and the guys are all laughing at him was pretty clear.
It also looked like a bunch of junior high kids asking the school nerd to explain his love of astronomy so they can have someone stand behind him and mock him, but that’s another issue.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Honestly I don’t know that Bryz really cares very much if his teammates don’t like him. In the interview I linked above:
Sergei Zinoviev said to us recently, "I socialize with almost no one in the team, I’m bored what hockey players could say.
Absolutely!
Do you share it?
One hundred percent. I’m also not too interested to talk to hockey players, among them I have almost no friends.
Is there at least one hockey player with whom you can talk about your favorite books and be understood?
Maybe Pasha Datsyuk. It is always great to socialize with him, but my close friends are the guys I grew up with.
Are you close with any Americans?
Ed Jovanovski. Amazing guy, you can always come to visit him without a call. Both he and his wife Kersten will only be happy. One word – Macedonians.
There are not too many lovers of the literature like you among the hockey players. What are you reading nowadays?
Just finished “Crime and Punishment”. When I’ll be back in America, I’ll start “The Demons”. I love Dostoevsky.
Oh, I’m positive he doesn’t care – people who are a little more out there generally tend to be the ones who don’t care what other people think. I find it admirable (if not wholly foreign). And for a goalie I’d imagine it doesn’t matter as much, it’s a more isolated part of the team anyway.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Giroux was awesome that whole series. I had no idea he chirped so much on the ice. I thought all talented Swedish centers were mild mannered. His chirps in the faceoff dot against Dallas and New York were priceless.
Roman Hamrlik is so bad that I've forgotten how bad Jeff Schultz is.
Yikes. Always thought he was a Swede for whatever reason. I’ll take my 2 minutes.
Roman Hamrlik is so bad that I've forgotten how bad Jeff Schultz is.
The French Canadian name didn’t clue you in?
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jan 6, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he’s a funny dude.
I also liked when he told Brayden Schenn, “Hey, it’s not the fuckin’ World Junior Classic here, jumpin’ into the glass…”
Agree that he came across as a likeable guy.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
not a fan of the Ovechkin celebration, I see.
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" I got a threshold, Dale. I got a threshold for the abuse that I will take. Now, right now, I’m a fuckin’ race car, right, and you got me in the red. And I’m just sayin’, I’m just sayin’ that it’s fuckin’ dangerous to have a race car in the fuckin’ red. That’s all. I could blow."
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The funny thing about that is, I could easily see DH responding with:
“Well I’m a mushroom cloud laying motherfucker, motherfucker!”
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Jan 6, 2012 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
I can see it. If the Caps aren’t going to bring him back next year and the Caps aren’t going to play him more than 6-7 minutes a night on the fourth line why not?
A trade would be a chance to establish himself on another team and maybe earn another contract. I’m pretty sure that there are teams that would love to have him and would play him on a top line.
The only part I took issue with was this:
Knuble tried biting his tongue under Bruce Boudreau, hoping his patience – or at least an injury — would pay off with a promotion.
I don’t know if Gormley meant to write it that way, and injuries happen often – but the combination of “injury” and “pay off” just depicts Knuble as a guy actively wishing for someone to be injured, which I doubt is the case.
Knuble slashes tires, Brooks Laich replaces them
RAMPAGE
by JediChewbacca on Jan 6, 2012 8:41 AM EST up reply actions
I’d bet a billion dollars that was poor wording and not actually how Knuble feels.
Please, call me F&B.
Eddie Belfour takes that bet.
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As does Rick Tocchet.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
My favorite part:
Mike Knuble wanted Dale Hunter to know that although he may be halfway to his 40th birthday…
Knuble’s 20 y’all!
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Well, at this point I would say the chances of him signing another deal here, even for one year, and even if he was getting top line play, are slim and none. And I think none just walked out the door. Might as well play the hell out of him.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 8:41 AM EST up reply actions
I just wish we knew what happened for Boudreau to put him in the dog house and why Hunter left him there. Nothing in his play last year seemed to indicate he was slowing down much. Even though the team got some new guys, the only one I thought could really displace Knuble on the top two lines was Brouwer. I don’t think that was enough to permanently put him on 4th line duty.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 8:47 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Plenty in his play this season seems to indicate it, though – look at the advanced metrics. They’re brutal. I don’t quite understand how he’s been used this year, but there’s justification for it.
And I’d also love some more explanation, but that ain’t happening.
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Maybe they’re just trying to go easy on him in the regular season so he has more in the tank for the stretch run and post-season?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
If that was the case, you’d think it was a mutual understanding, no?
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Could be. Or maybe they told him all the same and he still doesn’t like it?
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
We don't have an outhouse
.....My tool shed!!!
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe, doesn’t mean Knuble has to like it. Lundqvist (and in the past, Nabokov) wants to play every night and even though Torts tells him he’s not going to because he needs to stay fresh it isn’t something Hank loves.
Please, call me F&B.
But if they said, “Mike, we think you’re slowing down, so we’re going to pare your minutes,” even if he didn’t like it, you’d think he wouldn’t do the whole, “I’m frustrated, doing all I can, don’t understand it” routine to the media.
Whatevs. As long as it’s not a distraction, whatevs.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But didn’t I read that when they reported for camp in September and had to perform all those rigorous tests on the ice alot was made of the fact that Knuble performed so well…? Did he lose some of that jump after being made to sit too much?
waitaminute… none walked out the door?
So you’re saying there’s a chance…
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Jan 6, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
I like seeing that out of him. That’s some Canadian Heart right there showing that he’s passionate and it seems like Hunter respected him for doing it.
Meh. I like him talking to his coach about the playing time. I could do without him talking to the media about it.
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Well, I think that talking about this stuff to the media inherently makes the player look bad, to an extent. But this wasn’t awful (and, from an observer’s standpoint, I’m glad he did, because it’s interesting).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Agree completely. And implying that at some point he could request a trade is particularly poor form IMO.
Yes, I read that as the ol’ Alex Rodriguez “Well, if it helps the team I’d accept a trade” passive-aggressive trade demand.
Not sayin’ I want a trade, just sayin’ I could reach a point where I want a trade…he wants a trade.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
“Well, if it helps the team, I’d accept a promotion to the first line beside Ovechkin and Backstrom…”
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
American snark?
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 6, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
We monitor who gets the scoring chances and how they get them and he’s been getting them.
Interesting.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Yep, considering he’s last by Neil’s count (I would hope for better considering he can at least help on the defensive side and the fourth liners on this team are pretty good). Then again, if memory serves, he gets better as the year goes along.
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by red army line on Jan 6, 2012 8:50 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
That Knuble is last should not be surprising. He is not, and has rarely been, the kind of player who will create chances, and he plays most minutes on a line that does not generate shots that could give him opportunities to get second chances. How many goals does he score outside of 12 feet?
If you've read this far...seek help.
I just tweeted some Knublefacts:
Glad to see #Caps Knuble back in Top6, but as far as scoring chances go, I have him averaging .73 under DH32 with no noticeable recent surge
Under Hunter, I have #Caps Knuble w/ 2 scoring chances in just 2 games: Dec 5 vs FLA and Dec 9 vs TOR. He’s had one or less in the others.
Now I am not saying my counts are the last word on the issue, and it sounds like they grade chances somewhat (which is a good thing), but even a simple eye test would show that Knuble has not had any sort of scoring chance surge as of late.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Point being, if Semin’s 100% and practicing, Knuble’s very likely still a fourth-liner.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Agreed
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Glad to see #Caps Knuble back in Top6, but as far as scoring chances go, I have him averaging .73 under DH32 with no noticeable recent surge
How does that compare to the rest of the team when ice time is taken into consideration (assuming the .73 is an aggregate)? Perhaps his scoring chances per 60 are on the high end of the spectrum which would indicate he’s making the most of the limited minutes he’s had. If so, I’m dubbing him the Eric Fehr of Hunter’s tenure.
by HockeyGoalie29 on Jan 6, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
While they say Semin’s ready to go, I have serious doubts that he’ll actually play on Saturday as he’s been relegated to the 4th line for practice and had to move off the 2nd line when Nicky came back today. At the moment, if judging solely from the line configurations from recent practices, Semin seems to be considered as the “extra” forward.
We normally would assume that Semin ranks ahead of Hendricks, Beagle, and Perreault in the depth chart and would get the nod for playing over any of them but not if he’s practicing on the 4th line when all of the Top 6, including Knuble are there.
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Neil,
Just curious, but how do you classify scoring chances? Do you follow the Elias Sports Bureau definition of a shot from within the “home-plate shaped area” that goes from the top of the faceoff circles, through the faceoff dots, then angled to the goal posts? Do you also include the alternative definiton of any shot that is taken by an attacking team on an odd-man rush, such as a 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 break?
Or do you have your own definition?
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks. I really need to do some more research before asking these questions, don’t I?
And any odd-man situations would almost certainly be shots from that area.
My real question is: are they classified any further? Possibly to account for the situation and the shooter?
Point being, a 2-on-1 (or 2-0) would have a greater likelihood of success than an average shot within that area. Or a shot from that area on a screened goalie vs. an unscreened one. Or a shot off of a rebound.
Also that a shot from the scoring area from a more skilled player would have a greater probabity of success than one from a lesser skilled player.
Are any of those taking in account when compiling scoring chances?
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
No, scoring chances are binary as far as they are tracked by fans. As the quote in the Knuble article indicates, the Caps have a more nuanced system for analyzing scoring chances, and I’m sure other teams do as well.
Please, call me F&B.
That’s what I figured about the Caps based on hearing the distinction about “quality or Grade A” scoring chances for and against.
And it seems to me that you count scoring chances just by looking at a shot location diagram, but if you don’t consider the context of the shot itself, something is missing in the analysis.
But really I’m just trying to look at the stats from the Caps recent play figure out how to convince myself that the scoring/winning is actually sustainable.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, you’ll always be missing something. At this point I think they should just do it heat map style with concentric circles around the net. Simplest way to add some granularity, but obviously not comprehensive.
Please, call me F&B.
You’re right, but that still doesn’t account for situations like screened vs. unscreened goalie. Nor does it take the skill of the shooter into consideration. I just think those need to be factored in to get an accurate picture.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe not on the situational ones, but I would think an algorithm could be written to weight scoring chances based on the shooters historical S%. Not that I could do it, but I would think its possible.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
No worries. I just linked in case you wanted to see more of what Neil said, and to give credit to the author. Not intended as a rebuke.
Grading the scoring chances makes sense. We all know that an unmolested one timer from the low slot is a more dangerous chance than a wrister from the top of the circles.
But it would be a boatload more work for guys like NGreenberg to code them that way, and having the chance data is so much better than not having it, that for a working stiff like me the binary system works just fine.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
There is enough disagreement over the binary scoring that I don’t think a graded system would work.
Please, call me F&B.
Aren’t shot types tracked as well? I know I’ve seen it where it is listed after the shot (wrist, snap, slap, etc.) I would think that someone smarter than I could put together an algorithm to weight scoring chances based on shot type.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
If you mean general shots, it is done. Behindthenet.ca, individual shot quality (and team level should be in the offing).
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by red army line on Jan 6, 2012 1:17 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I remember looking at that when I was trying to figure out the cause of Ovechkin’s struggles – and it boiled down to shot type and average distance of shots he was taking.
So how about a formula like this to grade quality of scoring chances?
Scoring Chance Location x (situation) x (S%) = Quality of Scoring Chance
Blueshirt Banter broke the scoring area into 4 zones so each zone gets a ranking based on scoring probability. Same with situation; 2-on-1, screened goalie, odd man rush all get ranked separately. Then the shooter’s S% or some other metric to factor in skill level.
Very simplistic way of looking at it, and quantifying the location and situation based on probability of scoring is harder than it sounds, but I think it might work to grade or rank individual scoring chances.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
How does what you’ve been saying about Knuble’s numbers fit with what Becca wrote in November?
http://www.japersrink.com/2011/11/29/2591415/why-mike-knuble-is-no-fourth-liner
Since so much of Knuble’s production over the years (and earlier this season) is dependent on playing with the generators of scoring chances; to me your numbers are only telling one side of the story. It’s no surprise that his points have dried up since he was dropped to the 4th line. Yes, the team started struggling, but Knuble wasn’t the main cause and he’s been the main casualty. He hasn’t been given significant chances at redemption. As he told BB, he needs stability on a line to create chemistry with the scorers. The glimpses he has had on the top lines haven’t been enough to get back in a groove, but they’ve shown promise. I don’t think Knuble has slowed down as much as some have suggested. It’s more that he isn’t being used in a capacity that produces points.
Didn’t someone here do an analysis last year that also showed Knuble is a player who picks up his production as the season gets closer to mid-point? Although if he still spends most of his time on the lowest lines, then his scoring chances will not improve.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
to me your numbers are only telling one side of the story
When you look at the numbers that adjust for teammates (essentially removing that variable), they’re still terrible.
I don’t think Knuble’s done, but he hasn’t been good, even in light of the situations in which he’s been placed. He certainly needs to play with good players to produce, but he should still be able to tread water without them.
Knee High can add more on this point if he pokes his head in here.
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Is the ‘z’ key not working for anybody else? I’m on XP/Chrome and it doesn’t seem to want to move.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Works fine for me. Maybe log-out, log back in, close/open browser… typical help desk advice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This is well worth a viewing. Absolutely fascinating and nicely done. Thanks for the link. Got my plan for the mid morning.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
I’m a day late, but I’m listening to Laich on the Junkies now (because I love his quotes so much). Cannot believe that “Vokey” is really a nickname. Jesus, hockey players. C’mon.
Please, call me F&B.
It’s better than the mortifying “KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON” that the VC faithful yells after a big save.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
No, it’s not. The Koooooooooon started way before and I love it. I’d certainly prefer that to some contrived “You do the Vokey Pokey” after every save.
Please, call me F&B.
Seconded. I don’t infer a racial statement at all. Only those who are racially sensitive do. And fuck them.
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Uh, that last part is a wee bit antagonistic, don’t ya think?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Disagree. It’s part of his name, and the connotation which I assume is the basis of your disdain for it is increasingly leaving the common vernacular (thankfully). I can’t imagine many people even give it a second thought.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Good to know you young’ins don’t make the connection. Still makes some of us who are over 50 and grew up in this area cringe.
The fact that it’s not even how his name is pronounced makes it seem a little silly though.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
Well, most fans don’t pronounce Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin or Neuvirth (among others) correctly, either.
We’ve got “Mike Green” down, though!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hmmm… let’s see:
And just to make sure: Alex Ovechkin
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, also this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXb7iP02TPg&feature=related
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Such a great source, Thanks! And to think all this time I thought Perreault had only two syllables :-)
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
This guy recorded just about every hockey name there is, teams, players, hell, he even did Greg Wyshinski after being written up in PuckDaddy. You can always listen and pick up something new. In fact some of them are right.
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
it’s a good way to waste an afternoon.
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Wait. How am I supposed to be pronouncing Backstrom?!
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by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Jan 6, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Sounds great in the building, taking offense to it as being a racial connotation is a bit over the top IMO…our society is a little too sensitive at times…we have a black president…cant we move forward a little bit..
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The first time I heard it, I thought people were booing and was like “WTF? I know he let up a couple softies tonight, but that was a great stop!”
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
Ha! … reminds me of SmooOOOOOT at skins games…always thought that was a booo…prolly was..
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Yeah, sometimes you can’t tell that’s what they’re chanting. VO-KOUN is a better chant because you can hear the syllables instead of the drawn out OOOOO and it sounds like booing.
by jopierce on Jan 6, 2012 9:46 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I don’t like the two-syllable goalie chants. VO-KOUN. NEU-VY. VAR-LY.
There will never be another O-LIE. So just stop.
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I’m quite partial to a particular two-syllable goalie chant.
“HEEEEEEEEX-TAAAAAAAAAAAALL”
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
by SmallZ827 on Jan 6, 2012 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Is it offensive to throw Twinkies on the ice after Brodeur lets in a soft goal?
Please, call me F&B.
I guess its better then what they throw at Bell Centre after Hattys
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Depends. Are you calling him fat or saying he’s so fucking old that he, Keith Richards, and the Twinkies are likely the only things to survive a nuclear apocalypse?
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It would be offensive if it were “my wife’s sister”-themed porno DVDs.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
Well…to him maybe.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
Kerry Fraser would make you apologize for that…
by kingbonehead on Jan 6, 2012 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Do you think he would see it?
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 6, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
I think we’re going to cut off this line of conversation. Maybe take it OT if anyone wants to continue it.
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He also talks about a sliding scale of scoring chances (no shock). It is funny that he says “if we limit the grade A scoring chances our goalies will make the save, we know that.” If only. Lately that’s been true, but there have been plenty of counter-examples this year.
Please, call me F&B.
I thought it was more a problem with Grade D-F scoring chances going in than stopping Grade A-C chances. I know that there were a number of times where TV would make the stop on a tough one but then let in softies that you would think he’d block.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
That might actually get folks to pronounce it right. Hearing “Thomas Vokoun” in Locker-voice is awful.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
And isn’t “Vokoun” actually pronounced, “Vo-cone?” I notice Vogel uses this pronunciation in his pre-game videos with John Walton.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Yes. Vog’s made a big deal about that being the correct pronunciation. Wonder if Vokes cares—or if it was initiated by him.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
He’s in Amuuuurica – he’ll hear his name as we want to pronounce it or he can go home, dammit!
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Somewhat related – anyone know if the Russians’ names were being correctly pronounced by the TSN crew? I’d been wondering for a while how Yakupov was pronounced.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
NHLN showed a short piece on Nail before the game. He mentioned how his name is suppose to be pronounced (“NI-el”), then just said “or Nail”. I think they just give up after a while.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
I think this tweet answers your question
AlyonkaLarionov Alyonka Larionov
Aww @DavidAmber just introduced my Yakupov feature on NHL Network. Pronounce it however you like, David ;)
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Jan 6, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
So I know this is meant to be a joke (…right?) but to some extent there’s truth to it. Accents, alphabets, pronunciations vary all over the place; how many North American names/words do you think are pronounced correctly by the Russian players or the Czechs or Swedes or whatever? Get it as close as you can and move on, you know?
Btw, while I know that "Neuvirth" is pronounced "Noy-vert", he’ll be "New-vy" to me until the end of time and I don’t care. "Noy-vy" sounds dumb. There, I said it.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Every joke has some truth in it. The chicken, for example, did cross the road for a reason…
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That, sir, is no laughing matter.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well damn. Now I have his nasal intonation in my head.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
On his milestone: "It's going to be like unwrapping a birthday present. Then the day after you're kind of like [sighs]....Now you just have to keep going."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 6, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
I love how every name in the NHL just gets pronounced however is easiest to yell at an arena. You don’t even have to come from a non-English language country, even Boogard’s name was just “This is easier to yell, so that’s your name now”
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
And if anyone speaks French I’d love to know what the question was that riled him up at the end.
Please, call me F&B.
Maybe “Can you see Russia from your house?”
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That would be a great question, but I’m pretty sure it was something about his height based on his response.
Please, call me F&B.
Gomez is Latvian!
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by SmallZ827 on Jan 6, 2012 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
“This is the most important question, the one that [wakes me up/keeps me up at night], the one everyone wants to know: who’s the biggest, you, Gionta, or Cammalleri?”
....when the truth is if they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it.
--GMGM
Hey, I’d be happy to do a little investigative journalism next time they’re in town.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Wow…
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
by nogoodtrying on Jan 6, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
Mind out of the gutter! I was merely going to have them stand against the wall so I could measure how tall they were, geez…
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
Oh wow, I was going about this thread all wrong from the beginning…lol.
"I couldn't bring myself to cheer for Pittsburgh. But since they won, I may as well use it."
--BB, 2009
by nogoodtrying on Jan 6, 2012 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
“…a little investigative journalism…”
Touche.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 6, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Buy or sell?
When it comes to coaches who have won a Jack Adams and whose team has won a Stanley Cup, Claude Julien is rather underappreciated when it comes to the NHL’s top coaches.
000
Sell.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Never knew Claude was also on “King of the Hill”
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s….hypnotizing.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
by sydtron on Jan 6, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 8 recs
I love how the Logo in the background changes as well.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
Where is he underappreciated? I’d think most people would have him pretty comfortably in their top-five, no?
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Jack Edwards, for example, has him ranked 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
He has to be objective, see.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
I love that his defense of his style is that “Boston Bruins fans expect someone calling Boston Bruins games to be a homer!”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Can’t blame them, really. All their fucking teams win titles all the time.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
Perhaps it’s the lack of “Made for TV” personality, but it seems as if Julien doesn’t draw the attention as a coach that others do such as Boudreau, Babcock or even a Hitch does.
Further question—who would you list as your top 5 NHL coaches working today?
by Rather Bengt on Jan 6, 2012 10:18 AM EST up reply actions
No particular order: Babcock, Bylsma, Julien, Quenneville, Vigneault
by Rather Bengt on Jan 6, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Actually, that’s alphabetical..
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 6, 2012 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 10 recs
This is one of my favorite comments ever for some reason.
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What’s sad is I had to recite my A-B-C’s a couple of times to be sure Q came before V….still not convinced.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 6, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
Q comes right after the el’minow part of the alphabet, duh
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.
Top coaches who have won a Jack Adams and whose team has won a Stanley Cup and who are still active in the league:
John Tortorella
Dan Bylsma
Claude Julien
Joel Quennville (though he won his Jack Adams with the Blues and the cup with Chicago).
I’d say that Torts is probably the underappreciated one of that bunch.
Oh, and it’s a crime that Babcock has never won a Jack Adams.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
When your teams are stacked, always and forever, you get less credit. Boo-hoo.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
They haven’t always been stacked. The 2002-2003 Mighty Ducks weren’t tremendous, yet they finished with a very respectable 95 points and went to the Stanley Cup finals. The 2006-2007 Red Wings weren’t all that stacked, but they did a damn good job of keeping the puck out of the net to the tune of 50 wins and 113 points.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
any teams that puts up 50 wins is stacked. As long as they have Lidstrom, they’re stacked.
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When Julien won the Jack Adams, he had Zdeno Chara, Marc Savard, Phil Kessel, and David Krejci. Tim Thomas also had a historically good season (which he topped two seasons later).
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
Pretty sure any ensuing response is going to involve, “Whatever, fuck the Red Wings.”
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
fuck the Red Wings :)
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Which is why I think that the Adams should go to coaches who do more with less and not do a whole lot with a lot… If that makes any sense.
To me, Bylsma was a great choice last year because he had a team decimated by injuries put up 100+ points.
This year, Hitchcock is my choice, in that he turned around a team that has some talent that was underperforming into one that is overperforming.
Although STL wasn’t underperforming in the advanced metrics. Most people looking at those numbers thought they were underperforming in terms of luck.
Please, call me F&B.
By the actual definition of luck, no. By the definition of luck that is used in hockey statistics, maybe. I kinda doubt it but haven’t seen anyone look at that.
Please, call me F&B.
You doubt that they can affect luck, or don’t?
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by red army line on Jan 6, 2012 1:23 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I’m saying that by the actual definition of luck (things you have no control over) they can’t. But by the statistical definition of luck in the NHL stats community (things you can’t control plus things we can’t measure) there’s a chance the coaches have some control (i.e. certain systems create certain immeasurable differences in results). But I don’t think individual coaches have much control over even the broader definition of luck.
Please, call me F&B.
Was he even a finalist in ‘03? His playoff run didn’t count (and he beat the Jack Adams winner). Also, the Cup run was more about Giggy than anything else, including coaching.
Please, call me F&B.
He’s only been a finalist once – 2007-2008, when he finished behind Bruce Boudreau and Guy Carbonneau in voting.
Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."
the ran away with the presidents Trophy that season. S-T-A-C-K-E-D.
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Hershey outdoor game tonight – twitter has been busy this morning with pictures pre and post morning skate, etc., and other updates. I decided to make a temp. list on twitter to help follow. It’s not an exhaustive list of everyone providing updates, but covers the main people and some of the players.
Sure would be nice if CSN would have put it on TV or something. Oh well.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Isn’t ‘The Comcast Network’ inclusive of DC, or just Philly?
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Did you know DC United pays almost double the amount of rent at RFK than the MLS average? Help Keep United in DC to receive a fair deal on a lease and help develop a path to build a stadium with local investment and incentives.
by Bald Pollack on Jan 6, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
I have no idea. I know there’s a Comcast Network and sometimes they show Flyers, Blackhawks or Sharks games on there. I’ll check my listings this evening to see if it’s on there.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah just saw that. Ugh.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
This historic AHL game will be televised live on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. ET on The Comcast Network in Philadelphia and nationally across Canada on Sportsnet, and can also be seen via streaming from AHL Live (ahllive.com). The game will also be re-broadcast on NHL Network in the U.S. on Jan. 7 at 4 p.m. ET. Former Philadelphia Phantoms play-by-play voice Brian Smith and long-time NHL veteran Ian Laperriere will have the call.
Spidey has been the standings guru the past week, but I thought I’d give him the morning off. Here’s how things are stacking up headed into the weekend.
Caps are sitting in 8th place, 44 points in 38 games. Points-wise, they are tied with New Jersey but hold the 1st and second tied-breakers (games played, and ROW)
The one, perhaps, most important to us fans: Florida has 48 points, but has also played 2 more games, and less ROW. However, the Caps only play once this weekend so they cannot catch the Kitties until Monday at the earliest. Panthers play New Jersey on Friday. Panthers win puts them a little further out of reach. Jersey wins (or even an OT loss) and Caps start Saturday in 9th. Root for the flaming ball of death, people.
other important standings notes:
- Toronto is in 7th, one point ahead of the Caps. Caps have 2 games in hand, and, yes, a superior ROW. they play the Wings Saturday.
- 6th place are our friends from western PA, 46 points, same number of games played, and less ROW (seeing a pattern here?). They have a busy weekend, hosting the Rangers tonight and Jersey on Saturday.
- Ottawa occupies 5th place, with 47 points and having played three more games than the Caps. You get one guess on which team has more ROW. The Sens play home-and-home with our other PA buddies this weekend.
so, while there’s very little opportunity to gain any ground in the standings this weekend because of the way the schedule falls, the Caps are well-positioned to really gain some ground in the next two weeks. Starting Monday, they play 7 games in 12 days. Winning, or at least getting a point, out of those games in hand, and maintaining the ROW superiority over the competition, is important to continuing to move up the playoff standings.
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by RedBirdie on Jan 6, 2012 11:26 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Panthers and Devils? That’s a guaranteed three point game. Ugh.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
If the Caps play like they should, they’ll get in, regardless of the three-point games others play.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Seriously. Both those teams are defining living by the 3-point game. But it’s orking for them, and those are the rules, no matter how much it chaps my ass. The Caps just have to make a concerted effort to win their 2-point games. They’ll catch up eventually.
by Aliceanna on Jan 6, 2012 11:39 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Florida’s January schedule is an absolute beast.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
caps jan schedule is a little up and down. Some cupcakes, some very serious challenges:
7—SJS
9--LAK
11—PIT
13—TBL
15—CAR
17—NYI
18—MTL
20--CAR
22—PIT
24--BOS
31--TBL
some potential landmines in there.
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I have no idea whey the formatting went all batshit insane.
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TIL there’s a sarcasm font.
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on Jan 6, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
They’ve got six games against teams that either made the playoffs last year or will make it this year. Seven if you think the Avs will make the playoffs.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Caps play Florida THREE times in February. This could be very interesting.
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Poor Iggy.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
If it’s any comfort, with the end of the WJC the Flames can now return to the Calgary and Iggy can score his 500th in front of home fans.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 6, 2012 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
In his last 12 games, Iginla’s goal scoring has gone like this…
1-0-0-1-0-0-1-0-0-1-0-0…
He will score in his next game.
If you've read this far...seek help.
___
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by J.P. on Jan 6, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
My inner Math Major approves of this.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
Who knew Rene Bourque was such a valuable player?
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
Say Cheese
Great pic tweeted by Holtby just now (taken by Bears’ radio voice Scott Stuccio):
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
by Becca H on Jan 6, 2012 11:51 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Look at who is there!
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Always feel free to FanShot good pics…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Oh, I will. I’ll FanShot the hell out of it. YOU’LL SEE.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
the first thing that popped into my head: awesome, Becca’s gonna Blingee the pic!!!!!!!
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Irbe always wore goalie skates, too.
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Oh, right, should have known.
Still think white skates would be a good look.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
the man also rocks GNR t-shirts 20 years later.
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I <3 Feds.
And to be clear, that’s not a heart – it’s sideways trucknutz.
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by J.P. on Jan 6, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’ve seen ’em…just not sure how to translate them in juxtaposition with Feds.
For the record, neither I nor any of my friends adorn their pickups with trucknutz.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
If you rotate the symbol counterclockwise it’s a heart, if you rotate it clockwise it’s trucknutz. J.P. was just making a joke. He’s funny.
Please, call me F&B.
…right, but the sentence doesn’t make sense with his joke, is what fd is saying. “I trucknutz Feds”.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
I’m not sure what a trucknutz is, or how exactly one goes about trucknutz’ing another person, but it sounds incredibly not fun and I wonder why JP would want to do such things to Feds.
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I won’t post a picture, as they’re pretty raunch, but here’s a link.
They’re redneck-y as hell.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
And women.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
Love the story about how they had to paint that white on there.
Charlie O. was batshit.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
000
You mean he doesn’t own the Sabres?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
000
And his brothers, Derek Gaedel and Tyler Gaedel!
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
I though Montreal had a monopoly on all smurfs entering the NHL…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
Remember this guy...
…he used to be an NHL coach in LA, and Washington, and Philly…
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 6, 2012 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Some twitter fun between ex NHLer Jeff O'Neill and Darren Dreger
Jeff ONeill @odognine2 14h
Give the bruins the cup. #itsover.
Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger 14h
Reply @odognine2. 7 EV goals. 1PP and 1 SHG goal for Bruins. What’s that…2 weeks work in your prime?
Guessing there was simialar comments in Jan 2010 about the Caps….sigh
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 6, 2012 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Well let’s hope for a similar outcome then for the Bruins.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 6, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
not that I want the Caps to sneak into the 8th seed, but I’d love to knock those cocky fuckers out of the playoffs in April.
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You know how I feel about them, so…yeah.
The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.
While my loathing of Pitt and Philly can never be equaled by other teams, Boston’s overall punk-ness is really grating. The entire city has that “im a bro with swagger and will do what I want” charm that makes them all seem like pricks. To throw out a complete generalization over a city of several million.
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.
Or 617k.
(I knew it wasn’t a huge number, but that’s even smaller than I would have guessed.)
Geeks of All Nations, Compile!
the city limits of Boston are just a bit larger than DC, and roughly the same population. The Great Boston region has about 4.5 million. (DC is 5.5)
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I can’t think of a team in the East I’d want the Caps to play less.
But I’d be happy to face them in the ECF.
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Well I’d be happy to never have Mon-….day’s are my least favorite day of the week…
I feel like an early match up against Boston would either be either a) round 1 loss or b) SCF birth.
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.
9 goals in 2 calendar Weeks is awfully generous of dreger
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 6, 2012 12:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Cumulative goal differential 2009-10 WSH vs 2011-12 BOS
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
That includes last night’s game.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
___
Which, incidentally, looked like this on a Fenwick timeline:
Yeah, the B’s are a little bit good:
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I feel like a total noob for asking…how do I read the chart on the left? (5v5 and Goals F/A) I’m a)utterly lost trying to read the Boston one and the Caps one; b)completely unable to compare the Caps one to the Boston one.
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It’s the year-to-date percentage of those things (goals, shots) the team is getting at 5v5. So if they were split 50/50, you’d be right along that .5 line. If you’re above it, things have been in your favor.
So the Caps ended 2009-10 having scored ~61% (or whatever) of the 5v5 goals scored in their games. That’s great. The B’s, to date, are at… well, they’re off the effin’ chart, likely just north of 65%.
Does that make sense?
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I think so. Caps spent an entire season being crazy goal scoring machines despite not being super dominate on shots. Boston tanked when it came to goals and then rebounded. Interesting that Boston’s shots seem to be headed back towards the 50% mark. curious to see if that continues, and if that affects their goals.
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Well, one thing to remember about shot differential (for both the 2009-10 Caps and this year’s B’s) is that there’s a score effect that comes into play – teams playing with leads tend to be outshot.
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good points.
#learningallsortsofthingsonfancystatsfriday
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~52% of the shots and 65%+ of the goals…they’re living in a good pasture right now.
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No doubt – just look at the PDO. But I’d wager their shot % is a good bit higher than 52% when score is close/tied.
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(They’re actually just about 53% in score close Fen %)
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That PDO is something else. Timmy Thom is having a hell of a year, of course.
The rest of the League and their fans can only hope they return to earth by the time the playoffs start.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Timmy’s good, but he’s only 2nd in the League in SV%.
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/shakes head
Fucking Bruins….
Now where's my hat? I'm going to the outhouse.
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
LOL…the entire top 4, 6 of the top 10, and 11 of the top 30 +/- players are Bruins. Joe Fucking Corvo is 16th at +18.
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
And 53% Fenwick isn’t bad, but it isn’t as dominant as the goal differential would lead me to believe.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
The goal differential still is going to impact the Fenwick some (score effect), but yeah, I actually expected it to be a little higher.
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So, is the general consensus that the Bears-Phantoms AHL Classic will not be televised live in the DC area? I understand that a live feed will be available on the Internet, and that a replay will be shown tomorrow on NHLN, but other than in the Philly area, no chance of seeing this game live locally in the DC area?
"That was a lot of fun. We don't go to jail, we beat up their chicken forwards, we score ten goals, and we win. And now the Moose drinks beer." -Andre "Moose" Dupont
Probably not. You can try TCN, but CSN has the Wizards and CSN+ has the Lady Terps, so no dice.
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks. I guess www.ahllive.com will have to suffice.
"That was a lot of fun. We don't go to jail, we beat up their chicken forwards, we score ten goals, and we win. And now the Moose drinks beer." -Andre "Moose" Dupont
But are they (AHL.com) putting it out for free, or charging for it?
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
WSH PDO vs Scoring chance %, 10-game moving average
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
For the stat-impaired, what does this mean?
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
It means they got really lucky (PDO) in the first part of season, then regressed to the mean.
But, the scoring chance% has been steadily declining, so the success they are having these last 4 games could be short lived if the goaltending falters even a little bit.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
L.A. and San Jose will be a good test for them, I’ll be happy if they can split given the things that have had to go right lately and the four game win streak.
And scoring chance% is a percentage of what? Scoring chance succes, for vs. against, scoring change from total shots?
Sorry for all the questions, but I really don’t have a clue on these things.
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Not to answer for Neil (but to answer for Neil), but it’s the % of all scoring chances that belong to the Caps (so the opponent’s is going to be “one minus whatever the Caps’ is”).
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So in interpreting the graph would it be correct to say that if a team is performing to expectations (based on other fancystats like Fenwick) then PDO should generally track to scoring chance percentage?
In other words PDO is a factor of mostly luck, but sc% isn’t. So if a team has a high PDO, but low sc% then whatever success they have is a result of being lucky. If it’s reversed low PDO/high sc% than they are unlucky.
A bad team that’s also unlucky would have both low PDO and low sc%. A good team with luck – both stats will be high.
Am I close?
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
Your logic makes sense but generally PDO regresses to 1000 regardless. I haven’t seen a discussion about scoring chances moving it one way or the other of the long run.
Please, call me F&B.
So what’s the purpose of PDO? From what I gather it’s the closest metric available to measure luck. Which is useful in that it would help to identify when a team is playing well but losing due to bad luck – and the converse when they win but play poorly.
So is there a correlation between PDO and sc%? Or any other fancystat like Fenwick and Corsi?
by Gin and Tonic on Jan 6, 2012 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
Part 4 of 24/7
It's not that I don't like people, I'm just happier when they're not around - Hank Chinaski
Shitballs.
@VogsCaps: Backstrom won’t skate this morning with his teammates.
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Or he will.
@VogsCaps: Backstrom will take the ice, we’re told, but not until after his evaluation is finished.
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Maybe it’s best they just hold him out tomorrow as a precaution?
Also, you have to figure that Niittymaki is a lock to start tomorrow, being as how he own the Caps (OWNs……OWNs….)
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jan 6, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Since 2010-11, Caps see 57% of even-str chances with score tied in their favor with Backstrom on the ice. 50% without.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
What are the Ovi and Semin breakouts?
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Ovechkin 57% vs 50%
Semin 59% vs 50%
MJ90 (just cause I had the numbers handy) 50% vs 53%
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
But will Semin play tomorrow, that is the question. When Nicky B came back on the ice, Semin traded in his “grey” jersey for the white jersey of a 4th liner. While Hunter says Semin is well enough to return, I wonder if he really intends to play him tomorrow. Even though they say they are “evaluating” Nicky, he is practicing with his “normal” line while Semin is practicing but on the 4th line with the 4th line cast of characters. Either he’s not healthy or somehow he fell behind Knuble (now on the 2nd line), Hendricks, Beagle, and Perreault on the depth chart. Or does Hunter really intend to play Semin on the 4th line which seems highly unlikely.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
So within the context of one game, what are we talking about? What would the raw number of SCs be? A swing of two or three chances? Less?
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Less because it is only Even-str tied.
However (small sample size alert), under Hunter, when the Even-str SC tied differential is negative they are 1-6. When positive, 7-2.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Bob McK's Waiver Wire Update
AGord and Matt Smaby clear waivers for ANH
FLA put Bill Thomas on waivers PHI puts Matt Walker on waivers.
Also TBL picks up D Brendan Mikkelson for depth from CGY for C Blair Jones.
Wasn’t Stevie Y scouting the CGY/MIN game, and the speculation was about Harding and Zanon?
I don’t know much about Mikkelson, but I assume he’s not quite the imjpact guy that Zanon would be.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Harbinger of tomorrow night?
kcarrera:
So there’s a decent ledge where the #Caps get on to the ice at the Shark Tank. Several players tumbled a bit, Jay Beagle wiped out.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
by bagace on Jan 6, 2012 3:29 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Aayyyy!
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