AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBucking A Trend In An Un-Good Fashion
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When the NHL came out of the lockout that robbed hockey fans of an ’04-’05 season, put in place were new rules intended to increase scoring and offensive production. Such rules being goalkeepers not being allowed to play pucks in corners, allowing two line passing, the delayed offside rule, not substituting after icing the puck and refs clamping down on the holding and clutching, holding, grabbing in center ice.
Here we are in the third season of the post-lockout era and a review of the numbers show that the league’s goalies and defenses are adjusting to the rule changes and the increases in offense seen two seasons ago are slowly eroding away back toward those of the pre-lockout days.
Well, except in Atlanta.
Case in point: The last season before the work stoppage, ’03-’04, saw 3 goalies finish the year with GAA averages under 2.00. Leading the way was Mikka Kiprusoff of Calgary with a microscopic 1.69. In that year the average number of shots taken by teams was 27.1 per game. Atlanta goalkeepers let in 2.96 goals per game and the defense allowed an average of 29.4 shots a game to get through to the man between the pipes.
Move forward to the first year after the lock out and subsequent rule changes. Kipprusoff again lead the league, but this time with a 2.07 GAA. That GAA would have earned him just 9th best in ’03-’04. Not surprisingly, the average shots per game by teams in league also rose to 30.55. That year the Thrashers let up 3.29 goals per game and gave up shots at the rate of 30.3 per game.
In the following season, ’06-’07, Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom lead the NHL with a 1.97 GAA in 41 games as he went 23-8-6. Detroit’s Dominik Hasek was second with a 2.05 goals per game average. The average number of shots taken by teams dipped slightly as well to 30.25 per game. Atlanta gave up goals at the rate of 2.94 per game but allowed 31.5 shots a game.
Half way through the current campaign we see that there are no less then 3 goalies with their GAAs under 3.00 going into Wednesday’s games, Detroit’s Chris Osgood, (1.76 in 18 games), The Ranger’s Henrick Lundqvist, (1.98 in 29 games) and Evgeni Nabokov of San Jose, (1.99 in 33 games). In fact, the 2.07 posted by Kipprusoff two seasons ago would place him in a tie for 5th this year. The average number of shots, you ask? Down again slightly to 30.0. But the Thrashers are giving up a league high of 3.42 goals a game and are now giving up 32.5 shots a game and while their shots per game have dipped to 25.4.
In ’03-’04, the middle of the stats sheet for GAA was right at 2.71. Today, of the 40 goalkeepers who have played enough minutes to be considered in the league’s individual rankings, 27 have goals against averages at or below 2.71. Comparatively, Kari Lehtonen has a 3.62 GAA in 11 games, Johan Hedberg sports a 3.16 GAA in 20 games and Ondrej Pavelec’s 3.11 GAA was earned in his seven games played.
So, as the NHL’s net-minders and defenders seem to be making adjustments to the post-lockout style of play and their numbers sink downward closer to those before the ’05-’06 season, it seems as though the Atlanta Thrashers are bucking that trend as we see theirs continue to rise. What is going on behind Atlanta’s blue line is what the NHL suits wanted to see these past 3 seasons…only not by just one team.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Waffleboy
December 19, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
scary stats
By Thrasher Ryan
December 19, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
Poll Of The Day
Who scores a goal first?
Slater
Klee
Zhitnik
McCarthy
Popovic
By BG33Brown
December 19, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
I go Ken Klee on the poll of the day question.
As for the blog, it certainly says something about our goaltending and Defense. But DW doesn’t seem to see that so we keep playing Zhit and McCarthy. While both played better on Tuesday, I doubt it will carry forward on Thursday or more importantly past that game to game we have a chance in.
By Boulton's Bruisers
December 19, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Steve McCarthy
By kracker
December 19, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Yep RH We are seeing it game after game…I sat at the Bruins game last week, seeing the SOG totals on the board near the end of the 1st period read 2 for the Thrashers to 11 for the Bruins. We all have seen similar numbers thruout this year.
I was a bit surprised to see the SOG numbers yesterday in the 6-2 win over the Lightning read much the same as in most of the games for this year, showing a big edge in shots for Tampa Bay.
The team has to rectify this disparity. Knowing as a goalie that you are about to be hammered can’t put our goalies in a confident frame of mind necessary for success.
I am hoping that incremental improvements in performance by both the team defense and the goalies will reinforce the play of the other.
By Sara
December 19, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
What’s really scary about those stats is that the team blocks a LOT of shots on a nightly basis. Which means there are a lot more pucks getting fired toward our goal than even the above stats indicate. Massively ungood.
By Tony C.
December 19, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Puck Possesion…I say look into it.
GO BLUE !!!
By Brendan
December 20, 2007 2:38 AM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan, I’m going with Klee, then McCarthy. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Slater’s 1st goal come last year right about at Christmas time, vs. the NY Rangers? I think that was the game where Holik scored that memorable goal and then won it in the overtime.
Rawhide, nice stat work! If there’s ANYTHING good in those stats, it’s that Kari Lehtonen shouldn’t be able to demand a high salary for his RFA contract this Summer.
By Jsmooth
December 20, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
TR — Alexi Zhitnik! On the POWER PASS!!!!!! Does Klee even shoot the puck?
Prediction: when Slater finally scores, not only will the puck cross the red line, but so will Slater as he drives the net and gets cross-checked by a lazy defender into the goalmouth…okay, now who has lazy defenders? Tampa! Darn, that means he won’t get his 1st goal till Feb 9th!!
By Thrasher Ryan
December 20, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Rawhide—9 out of our next 13 games are at home. We must dominate in “our house”. That is what it will take to make a playoff run. We have to make visiting teams not look forward to coming here. This includes the fans, as well. Fans, you must harass opposing teams as much as possible. Make Blueland a dangerous place to visit. Of the next 13 games, if we won every game at home, we would have gone 9-4. That’s 18 points. That would be GOOD. Not ungood. Get er done, Blue dudes!
PJ—I couldnt figure out why I kept seeing the number 64. Then I realized, if we come out and dominate the 1st Period and score early and often, the Thrashers win toninght, 6 - 4.
By kari lehtonen
December 20, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Hey guys, Slater’s gonna score tonight. I caught him stealing some of my ADD meds. I’m gonna do good tonight, too. I’m gonna make stendec proud of me. Just you guys wait and see, i’ll show you!
By Rawhide
December 20, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
ThrasherRyan - That would be GOOD, indeed! 6-4 win, I’m gonna hold you to it!
Oh, and I will “buck the trand” myself in regards to the poll question and say McCarthy scores first. No reason…just to be different.
PJ - Prayer????
Remember guys, I set the shot over/under at OTT +10.5.
Kracker - yes…..almost every game the Thrashers have a period where they are out shot something like 12-3 or so…..if the team is getting out shot but it’s only 2 or 3 a period, then it really doesn’t seem that bad. So, they need to cut down on the “awful” periods.
I think I win the “DUH” award with that last comment.
By Thrasher Ryan
December 20, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
Rawhide—I go with McCarthy too. He looks a lot better paired with X. Zhitnik was holding him down.
By puckjunque
December 20, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
Lets have some Amens!!
bow your heads, hands joined on keyboards
Oh Heavenly Father, Thank you for listening to our prayers and answering them so precisely. The Thrashers need your guidance tonight to remain strong in spirit and strength. Please help them take control early of their home ice, sustain the lead and kick the senators a$$! AMEN!!
By kracker
December 20, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
AMEN!! To get a winning streak going!
The poll says 60-40 Thrashers beat Senators, so it’s official.
By Rawhide
December 20, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
A-FREAKIN’-MEN! Thanks, PJ!
Now let’s give the lady’s prayer a good amen-ing, guys and then get down to the business of Impeaching the Senators!
By J
December 20, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
I’m sticking with my prediction of Ottawa +15 (I’ll say 38-23) in the SOG’s. I still don’t understand how Waddell doesn’t seem to understand that we need to fix this.
And can we PLEASE start declining penalties????
By Thrasher Ryan
December 20, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
AMEN, puckjunque! Now, who’s goin to the game tonight?
By Alan
December 20, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Amen, PJ!
By Rawhide
December 20, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
J - As was pointed out by someone earlier…being outshot and taking so many penalties can be seen as the same problem. Fix the dumb penalties…and the extra shots the opposition gets on the ensuing PP will be eliminated.
Our PP? Just attack the net…MAKE the goalie make the save. I hate this loop-de-loop around the perimeter. The opposition loves it!
By J
December 20, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
I am! Only missed one so far!
By J
December 20, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Is there any way that SOG’s can be calculated without including shots on the PP? I bet its still a pretty big difference.
By Brendan
December 20, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Amen, PJ.
By Tony H
December 20, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
AMEN, PJ
By kracker
December 20, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
I will be there in 221.
I got to sit in the club seats last game and later visit the locker room! My friends’ child got invited to meet Moose and Havelid, I got to tag along. Everyone was happy, especially after beating the Bolts.
Hockey players are nice people.
By Nix
December 20, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Amen, PJ.
Let’s go Thrashers!
By PJ
December 20, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Thrasher Ryan A 6-4 Thrasher victory would be great INDEED! I’ll take Popovic on the poll, just because. Now LET’S GO THRASHERS!! WOO-HOO!
By Tony C.
December 20, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Hallelujah
Did you just see the move #17 put on Phillips? @ the blueline, play fizzled out but they may have been the sickest move I’ve ever seen the guy pull….ful stop then silly good dangle behind and through the defender????? forget about it!!!!
SO far so good, I like the way they’re playing tonight.
GO BLUE !!!
By stendec
December 20, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
KL actually looked strong through first half of third period. Thrashers hanging on not attacking. Hope it does not cost them. Less than 8:00 left.
By stendec
December 20, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Thrashers needed this one! Solid effort all around. KL focus strong. Offense did just enough. PP still has to improve! Owed these guys. HOW ABOUT BOGUS F+++++G PHANTOM PENALTY CALL IN CLOSING MINUTE? GO BLUE!
By Russian
December 20, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
YESSSSSSS!!!!! We won. Great Game! Everyone played perfect.
By PJ
December 20, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
WOOO-HOOOOO IT WAS BEAUTIFUL THING TO WATCH! GO THRASHERS!!!
By adrianna ls
December 20, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
Team played well. So proud of them!
By Brian
December 20, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Ok, that was an unbelievable game all around
4th line gets another big goal. Defense making great stops. Kari made big saves. Kovy gets another of course.
The only thing I can complain about is the stupid arena operations. Just when the entire crowd is screaming at the top of their lungs after a bad call, they go to the freakin’ kiss cam and killed it. Do you guys remember how pumped up the crowd got a few weeks ago (maybe a month, can’t remember which game now) when that bad call was made on Hossa (I think it was Hossa). The crowd really started getting loud tonight at a key moment and our home ice advantage was killed by our own people…
By Rawhide
December 20, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
YAWN - Hey….I fell asleep in the second period…boring game.
So,..what happened?
:o)
By R. Stroz
December 20, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
I sat in my seat, hoping to cheer, watching a game, the results I did fear.
When out of the gate, a blue team arrived, Out hustling the red team, could I believe my eyes?
More shots on goal, than any other time, to my amazement, what a surprise.
The red team realing, little heat in their eyes.
A young goalie, with great reflexes, could I believe my eyes?
An old Russian defenseman, who played with desire. Could it be, he rekindled his fire?
The blue team won, as we gave high fives, the Heater sent home, with tears in his eyes.
To all of Blueland, Santa brought cheer, now lets hope, it lasts all year!
By J
December 20, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
I’m sticking with my prediction of Ottawa +15
I was right! :) And I think Wadell read my post :)
By J
December 20, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Oh, I sat 3 rows behind Tom Glavine and family. I asked him if anything happened to Kari if he was gonna suit up…he said no.
By Rawhide
December 20, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
J - You got the 15 part right!
Brian Your right…and unbelievable game, indeed!
Adrianna - We all are, and welcome!
RStroz - Very nice…..it should end, “Merry Christmas to all, and to Ottawa…GET THE HELL OUTA OUR HOUSE!!
By J
December 21, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
Oh, I sat 3 rows behind Tom Glavine and family. I asked him if anything happened to Kari if he was gonna suit up…he said no.
By The Janitor
December 21, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
sweeping up the floors - Get on outa here…new Rawhide blog just posted…..what are ya al looking at? Expecting a French maid??
Hey J, there an echo in here?