Thursday, January 28, 2010

Flames Scoring Chances, Game 54 Versus Coyotes

Scoring Chances for NHL Game Number 20798

TeamPeriodTimeNoteCGYOpponent
CGY116:55 31617222834420293055885v5
CGY110:26 3512203445430343855 5v4
PHX19:32 41617222834215202930335v5
PHX19:31 41617222834215202930335v5
CGY18:30 5720233460220293033885v5
PHX16:51 31617222834214303334385v5
CGY16:28 3516172234214303334385v5
PHX14:56 37202334 34202930884v5
PHX214:24 461220346028153033885v5
PHX213:02 420232834 815193033554v5
PHX211:57 56172234 34111617304v5
PHX211:29 56112234 34111617304v5
PHX211:06 312212834451430333438555v5
PHX210:43 420232834 34111617304v5
PHX29:55 417222834 34111619304v5
CGY29:25 57202334 320293033884v5
CGY28:20 3512203445430343855 5v4
CGY27:59 3512203445214303338 5v4
PHX27:48 3512203445214303338 5v4
CGY26:22 571623346038151819305v5
PHX25:27 46172234 815193033554v5
CGY23:15 31216283460411161730555v5
CGY22:30 5721333445211143033345v5
CGY22:29 5721333445211143033345v5
PHX21:52PHX goal461720223438151819305v5
CGY20:585 goal3512213334414303438555v5
CGY318:35 461216346038151819305v5
PHX316:37 5711202234311161718305v5
CGY313:12 31216283460211161730335v5
CGY311:4660 goal31720283460414151930555v5
CGY310:28 6721333445318202930885v5
PHX35:59 31223283460311161718305v5
CGY34:05 31720222834414303438555v5
PHX33:20 4512163460311171829305v5
CGY44:29 320212834 315181930 4v4
PHX42:48 35172134 215193033 4v4
CGY42:36 35202134 215181930 4v4
PHX42:04 412283460 318293038 4v4


#PlayerEVPPSH
3D. PHANEUF22:05943:47311:4001
4J. BOUWMEESTER18:20162:13006:0004
5M. GIORDANO16:22733:41314:2612
6C. SARICH9:34220:00002:3803
7A. PARDY12:36510:06002:4811
10B. MCGRATTAN2:38000:00000:0000
11F. SJOSTROM3:30010:00001:1701
12J. IGINLA19:17454:31310:0500
16D. BOYD11:53641:29000:5200
17R. BOURQUE12:07452:03004:3103
20C. GLENCROSS13:24533:47314:1413
21O. JOKINEN18:07622:03000:0400
22D. LANGKOW14:05352:13004:5504
23E. NYSTROM7:18210:06003:4813
28R. REGEHR19:30660:10002:1403
33B. PRUST9:34400:00000:0000
34M. KIPRUSOFF49:0715116:00319:5317
45J. LUNDMARK14:00313:11310:0000
60M. BACKLUND14:15640:40000:0000


PeriodTotalsEVPP5v3 PPSH5v3 SH
1443310000100
28105321001600
3535300000000
4222200000000
Totals1919151131001700


This one could have gone either way. The tie was the natural result.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Looking for Bargains? Pick-up Mueller

Darren Dreger released a top 10 "most likely to be trade" list recently, which PD fisks here. There are potentially a number of interesting rental names there, but the one sneaky value guy may be the Coyotes Peter Mueller. The kid made the big club as a teen back in 2007 and scored 22 goals as a rookie. Now, there was probably some nice circumstances and bounces involved (since that's his best single season output thus far), but anyone who makes the show as a teen and puts up 20+ goals on a bad team is no joke.

Muellers results stink this year - 3 goals, 13 points. According to Five For Howling (linked in the PD story above), his play has been "disastrous". Now, when I see results that poor and read comments like that, the first thing I check is the percentages - especially with young players who have managed nice numbers at a young age already.

And, not surprisingly, Mueller's PDO is the worst amongst regular skaters on the club at 96.3. His on-ice SH% (6.8) is ghastly. Only Shane Doan and Matthew Lombardi have a worse on-ice SV%. In contrast, Mueller's other underlying numbers are solid. He's in the black in terms of possession (corsi is +8.34/60) and his level of competition is roughly middle of the road.

In short, the kids getting jobbed by the bounces more than anything. He's in line for a correction down the road. On top of that, he's a functional NHL player at just 21 years old - those are extremely rare, valuable commodities. So while he may not look like a viable "rental player" who will help a team win a play-off series right now, he's probably the type of guy who is can help a team win a bunch down the road.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Flames Scoring Chances - Game 52 - Gone with the Wind

Computer Gremlins decided to shut me down as I was counting chances last night. As such, everything was lost. Sorry folks :(.

Unofficial count: Flames had 10 chances through two periods and probably got 7 or 8 while chasing in the third. I'm guessing they won the day by about 5 or 6 overall, although much of it was had while chasing.

Trading Price Probably Not Worth it

Elliote Friedman has an interesting take on the Price/Halak situation in Montreal this morning. His contention that the Canadiens should move Price swings on the claim that "the return would also be good for Montreal."

I doubt that.

I've made this point before, but it bears repeating: goalies make for poor trade assets. The demand for them is extremely limited. In fact, there's probably more goalies than there are starting jobs in the league. I can probably name a few teams that would be willing to gamble on Price, but I'm guessing they wouldn't bother to give up much to acquire him. A draft pick? A prospect or two? He's got a nice junior resume and his pedigree is good, but his results the last couple of years are fairly middling and his career SV% of .912 is also middle of the pack. The only time a GM will part with anything of value to acquire a goaltender is when he's fairly sure the goalie will provide an instant improvement over what he currently boasts in net.

Friedman also mentions (correctly) that Price is only 22 years old and probably has his best days ahead of him. That's an accurate assessment. But if I'm GM-X, I'd probably just stick with who I have and wait for Price to develop in Montreal and become a free agent a few years down the road. Friedman implies in his piece that Price isn't really happy in Montreal (isn't confident, onto second goalie coach, needs a fresh start). That means to me he won't be eager to re-sign there. So rather than dealing valuable pieces for an average goalie who may or may not improve, I might as well wait on the sidelines to see which way the dominoes fall.

Unless you have a very real superstar on your hands, trading goalies is a tough gig in this league. Unless the Canadiens are willing to give up on Price now for a marginal return, they probably won't be dealing him any time soon.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Flames Scoring Chances, Game 51 Versus Chicago

Scoring Chances for NHL Game Number 20753

TeamPeriodTimeNoteCGYOpponent
CHI113:00 3122024283427101631815v5
CHI112:21PS4517222334419225182885v5
CGY110:45 372123344527113132335v5
CGY110:44 372123344527113132335v5
CHI19:54 31116283334525314655825v5
CHI17:09 4511163334525314655825v5
CHI15:21 451722344527192231885v5
CGY14:01 31121232834511253132335v5
CHI12:38 3122024283427101631815v5
CHI12:24 3122024283427161931815v5
CHI10:50 3112123283425113132335v5
CGY216:29 4516203334419223151885v5
CGY214:02 371116233427193181885v5
CHI212:21 7122024283427113132335v5
CHI210:56 56232434 1922313351884v5
CHI210:47CHI goal56232434 1922313351884v5
CHI210:33 3122128344527101631815v5
CGY28:14 4517223334519222531885v5
CHI26:19 45172334 1922313351884v5
CHI26:12 45172334 1922313351884v5
CHI23:11 31220242834410163151815v5
CHI23:05 3122024283427101631815v5
CGY22:20 351221344527193132 5v4
CGY21:37 351221344545103146 5v4
CGY21:3045 goal351221344545103146 5v4
CHI20:01 4202324283427103132335v5
CHI314:10CHI goal6712163334725314655825v5
CHI38:39 6716173334431465155825v5
CGY38:00 4517212334411313233515v5
CGY36:35 31220242834410163151815v5


#PlayerEVPPSH
3D. PHANEUF18:46582:48300:1000
4J. BOUWMEESTER22:24340:37001:5302
5M. GIORDANO19:31332:00301:5004
6C. SARICH12:36020:00000:2902
7A. PARDY11:49330:35000:3300
11F. SJOSTROM14:24230:00000:0000
12J. IGINLA18:48182:15300:0000
15N. DAWES2:15000:00000:0000
16D. BOYD10:14240:00000:0000
17R. BOURQUE17:05230:55001:3102
20C. GLENCROSS16:23271:10000:5300
21O. JOKINEN14:26422:24300:1000
22D. LANGKOW14:57121:01000:3400
23E. NYSTROM14:27530:00001:3204
24C. CONROY13:30170:00001:2002
28R. REGEHR21:542100:50001:1500
33B. PRUST10:14240:00000:0000
34M. KIPRUSOFF53:088153:25303:0504
45J. LUNDMARK14:09222:30300:1000


PeriodTotalsEVPP5v3 PPSH5v3 SH
1383800000000
2693530000400
3222200000000
4000000000000
Totals111981530000400


Flames behind the chance count with Iginla well under water - same ol' same ol' versus the Hawks. Fun fact: the three PP chances for Calgary in the second period all came off the stick of Jamie Lundmark.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Flames Scoring Chances - Game 50 Versus San Jose

Scoring Chances for NHL Game Number 20732

TeamPeriodTimeNoteCGYOpponent
SJS118:07 420242834 812151920224v5
SJS117:21 417222834 812151920224v5
SJS116:41 56232434 416202729444v5
SJS115:54SJS goal3122021283438202122415v5
CGY115:40 4715172234412151920445v5
SJS113:41SJS goal3122024283438162022275v5
CGY111:18 310162833341720284045595v5
SJS110:31 32023242834420212941445v5
SJS17:50 4517222334416202127445v5
SJS15:26SJS goal6720232434416202127445v5
SJS13:48 31215212834312151920225v5
SJS218:45 31215242834312151920225v5
CGY218:11 4122128344548122044 5v4
CGY215:59 42324283334816202829405v5
CGY212:52 67232433342021282940415v5
SJS211:36 6712152134816202728405v5
SJS210:07 32324283334420212941445v5
CGY28:46 31215212834312151920225v5
SJS27:25 45232433342021282941445v5
SJS27:24SJS goal45232433342021282940415v5
SJS26:29 3710152134312151920225v5
SJS24:25 571722344548121627445v5
SJS23:46 422232834 812151920224v5
SJS23:20 422232834 812151920224v5
SJS23:12SJS goal422232834 812151920224v5
SJS21:40 41220242834312151920225v5
SJS21:26 320232428342021282940415v5
SJS21:25 320232428342021282940415v5
SJS21:24SJS goal320232428342021282940415v5
SJS316:28 145121521312151920225v5
SJS315:13SJS goal132023242848162027445v5
CGY312:23 1312152128312151920225v5
CGY312:2228 goal1312152128312151920225v5
CGY310:12 1351220212027284041 5v4
SJS35:55SJS goal14222328 48204445594v5
SJS35:23 1371215211215192028405v5
SJS35:22SJS goal1371215211215192028405v5


#PlayerEVPPSH
1C. MCELHINNEY13:03242:00104:5701
3D. PHANEUF14:244133:36100:0500
4J. BOUWMEESTER17:25253:02104:1006
5M. GIORDANO17:26053:09103:3801
6C. SARICH13:30120:00003:5401
7A. PARDY15:23260:00000:0000
10B. MCGRATTAN7:55110:00000:0000
12J. IGINLA15:05392:50200:0000
15N. DAWES14:47471:42000:0000
16D. BOYD8:32100:42001:4200
17R. BOURQUE11:13121:52000:3701
20C. GLENCROSS10:05090:47103:1701
21O. JOKINEN13:08372:40200:0500
22D. LANGKOW12:49122:21003:5405
23E. NYSTROM11:312100:46002:2605
24C. CONROY11:222120:59004:1702
28R. REGEHR13:415112:13104:3106
33B. PRUST9:03331:28000:0000
34M. KIPRUSOFF32:485174:00103:1206
45J. LUNDMARK11:56011:53100:0000


PeriodTotalsEVPP5v3 PPSH5v3 SH
1292600000300
241431110000300
3352410000100
4000000000000
Totals92872120000700


Nothing more needs to be said, I trust.

On the Cormier Hit and the Culture of Violence in Hockey

Tom Benjamin often argues that the NHL has no real interest in policing head shots because, in short, violence sells. He posits that if crowds would stop standing up for fights or if big hits stopped getting on all the highlight reels, maybe the league would get serious about deterring dangerous checks.

And that's probably true. But I suggest those issues are also just symptoms of a deeper issue. Namely; the encultured attitude towards violence in the game itself. Behold:

Cormier's pro career won't be affected by the Tam incident. Many teams would rather "tame a tiger than paint stripes on a kitty cat".


That's a tweet by the CBC's Jeff Marek this evening. For those who haven't seen the Patrice Cormier hit, here it is.

It's not a hockey play. It's a disgusting and dangerous cheap shot, the only intent and purpose to which was to hurt the other player.

Of course, being overtly aggressive is often lauded in the game, from the first time boys are allowed to hit each other and from every level there on. In part, for good reason: hockey is a tough sport, filled with both physical battles and psychological intimidation. There are therefore a number of risks associated with playing the game, risks hundreds of thousands of players happily face daily so they can strap on the pads.

That risk should end where malicious attacks begin, however. The tacit appreciation apparent in Marek's reported statement (and this no attack on him. I'm sure he's stating a fact) reinforces the notion that taking your opponents health and safety for granted - check that, grossly and purposely putting it in peril - is okay. Hell, it's better than being a pussy, right?

I played hockey myself for a decade. My brothers played hockey. I've watched the sport for as long as I could walk. I love the game and understand that at it's very core it is a man's sport. These guys are modern day gladiators and, yes, a definite measure of the thrill and interest in the sport is the inherent violence. But let's know where to draw line. Let's stop implicitly reinforcing dangerous assaults that have nothing to do with winning or losing the game. I like a good hit or scrap as much as anyone, but I have no interest seeing a players life irrevocably altered for the worse because of a hockey game.

Flames Scoring Chances, Game 49 Versus Anaheim

Scoring Chances for NHL Game Number 20722

TeamPeriodTimeNoteCGYOpponent
CGY119:26 131517222817192228505v5
ANA118:37 145122024110152734395v5
CGY117:00 14515172217101519395v5
ANA116:29 14515172217101519395v5
ANA116:04 167122024122272834505v5
CGY112:5621 goal13122128 117222734 4v4
ANA111:21ANA goal14723 115273942 3v4
ANA18:40 13523244517101527395v5
ANA17:26 145122022110152734395v5
ANA17:21 145122022110152734395v5
ANA17:20 145122022110152734395v5
ANA15:33 1562024 117202734424v5
ANA13:02ANA goal16716234514132021245v5
ANA12:30ANA goal131517222817192228505v5
CGY10:1645 goal145122145110152734395v5
CGY218:18 145122024120222734505v5
ANA217:57 14172228 19101527344v5
ANA216:47 1671722 1491015194v5
CGY216:055 goal14520242814171939425v5
ANA210:54 1312202428110152734395v5
CGY210:4120 goal1312202428110152734395v5
ANA28:13 1312202428110152734395v5
CGY27:00 131016283314132021245v5
CGY26:29 1412212845122272834 5v4
CGY25:39 1412212845122272834 5v4
CGY23:17 142122284519172734425v5
ANA319:01 145122024110152734395v5
ANA317:52 1672123451491721425v5
CGY316:08 1672123451491721425v5
CGY315:58 1672123451491721425v5
CGY313:37 145122024110192834395v5
ANA313:14 14521234514101521395v5
ANA313:04 14521234514101521395v5
ANA312:51ANA goal14521234514101521395v5
CGY311:35 167122024110152734395v5
ANA311:09 1412202128110152734395v5
CGY310:59 1412202128110152734395v5
CGY310:58 1412202128110152734395v5
CGY310:53 13515172217192228 5v4
CGY310:28 13515172217192228 5v4
ANA37:18ANA goal16721234519172734425v5
CGY30:24 3512172021122272834 5v4
CGY30:14 3512172021122272834 5v4
CGY30:08 3512172021122272834 5v4


#PlayerEVPPSH
1C. MCELHINNEY49:3915184:00405:0604
3D. PHANEUF20:06442:51500:0000
4J. BOUWMEESTER20:388102:09203:1102
5M. GIORDANO18:455102:43500:5801
6C. SARICH8:09340:00001:5502
7A. PARDY12:09340:06001:2002
10B. MCGRATTAN3:49100:00000:0000
12J. IGINLA19:10893:09500:1500
15N. DAWES15:01221:43200:0000
16D. BOYD5:46110:00000:0000
17R. BOURQUE15:32222:43501:5902
20C. GLENCROSS15:31791:08301:2001
21O. JOKINEN13:14762:47500:0000
22D. LANGKOW17:02351:43202:2202
23E. NYSTROM11:58270:08001:1101
24C. CONROY13:51560:30001:5901
28R. REGEHR20:08842:11202:4801
33B. PRUST6:11100:00000:0000
45J. LUNDMARK11:51472:09200:0000


PeriodTotalsEVPP5v3 PPSH5v3 SH
14114900000200
2745220000200
31176750000000
4000000000000
Totals2222151870000400


Anaheim dominated the first, but it was mostly the Flames in the third. Overall the 22-22 chance was probably a fair assessment of the contest.