Blues by the (Team) Numbers

by cold on Nov 1, 2011 1:52 PM CDT

Maybe a thread where we can argue about stats, what they mean, which ones might be meaningful for the Blues at this point of the season, etc. Small sample size noted, 11 games

Of course stats even in the best circumstances probably don't tell the whole story, especially in hockey. And, cynically, one can always find a statistic to back up a certain point-of-view, right?

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We can agree that the Blues' Scoring is Pedestrian...

2.53 GFA (15th 'best' in the league)

note: though, to be honest, it's shockingly good if you take into account the wretchedness of the power play.

.. mostly because the Power Play Outright Sucks.

3 for 36 on the PP (worst in PP% and PPG)

note: Likely the Blues' greatest problem so far, this season. We all know this so I won't dwell here, but fun fact: we are bad on the PP at home (3 games) and on the road (8 games)! So stop doing the stupid dance, it isn't helping.

We Don't Have All That Many PP Chances Either

Blues are tied for 7th least in power play opportunities.

note: I suspect that not having speedsters like Frenchie and McDonald hurts the team in terms of drawing penalties. Maybe the Blues don't antagonize enough either? The Blues don't take a lot of penalties so I guess they don't draw as many either... Then again, considering how bad the Blues' PP is, this might be a blessing in disguise.

The Blues Are 'Good' at Even Strength

Blues are 5th best in goals scored at even strength overall, (tied for 7th best in 5-on-5 and tied for #1 in 4-on-4)

The Blues start slow on offense

2nd worst in goals scored in the 1st period ---> middle of the pack in 2nd period --> 7th best in the 3rd period

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The Blues give up more goals than average...

2.80 GAA (9th worst)

note: looks closer to league average, or even better, in terms of even strength, though I don't have the GAA for even strength stat.

.... and don't stop pucks that reach net

89.1 SV% (5th worst)

note: the Blues do depend on shot blocking quite a bit, ranked #8 in the league in blocked shots... though I don't have the per game percentage for that one.

Our Penalty Kill Sucks, but Luckily, We Don't Have to Kill All That Many Either

10 for 36 on the PK (3rd worst in PK%, tied for 5th worst in PPGA, tied for 7th best in number of times shorthanded)

note: not having Janssen and Crombeen (and Reaves watching from the press box) has limited the number of penalties the Blues have taken, though the strongest effect has been on major penalties taken (only 3 so far!). Still the Blues seem to be taking less minor penalties too.

Faceoffs, hooray

51.2 FO% (tied for 7th best faceoff percentage)

Ok, I have to get back to work. Discuss, contribute, criticize.

Poll

#1 Issue with the Blues?

The "Power" Play

82 votes

Top Two Lines Not Contributing

51 votes

Poor Goaltending (Halak)

29 votes

Anemic Penalty Kill

14 votes

Just give them more time, stop being so harsh.

26 votes

202 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

missing an option

i think all of the above would be an appropriate answer… those all are equally fucking us over right now…. luckily, the power will get better as the season goes on, because as the season goes on the top 2 lines will finally get the dust off of their annual slow start

as for the second two options, those are the ones that are tougher to right, the pk will get better as the goaltending gets better… your goalie is the best pk’er on the ice at all times… he needs to steal some saves and that contributes to a good pk and thats what we havent had yet

If you have a donkey and i have a chicken and your donkey ate my chickens feet what would you have.... 2 feet of my cock in your ass!! haha

by bleedblue2009 on Nov 1, 2011 2:52 PM CDT reply actions

Power play.

2 goals in 11 games with a man advantage . . . not gonna get it done. Ever.

Fight Club writer for the print edition of St. Louis Game Time . . . I need another beer.
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by Donut King on Nov 1, 2011 11:11 PM CDT reply actions

Fix the special teams and the rest will fall into place.

Besides the powerplay, most of our problems are little things. We need to play more disciplined and as a team, a 5 man unit. We need to make sure that the shots we give up are shots that we feel our goalies can save. Protect the slot area and keep opponents on the perimeter. Offensively, we are really missing the creativity of McDonald and Perron, but it is time for Berglund and Stewart to step up, if they have an off year, we will have an off year.

When we play to our potential, we can beat any team in the league, but we just have to find that consistency. If we get a powerplay and our big guns start producing, we should be a very good offensive team, which would help take the pressure of the defense.

Once we finally start playing as a unit in every game, I don’t think we will see as many odd man rushes against us, which have really hurt us this season. Better decision making is also a must to cut down on the odd man rushes.

All in all, it has been a shaky start, but considering how our powerplay can’t be this bad all season and our big guns will eventually get their points, there is still plenty of room for improvement, which is encouraging, but how long will it take for them to fire on all cylinders.

by mulax6 on Nov 2, 2011 3:01 AM CDT reply actions

^This

I think once the special teams stop sucking we’ll be a LOT better off. I have to think if this continues then Mr. Bennett and Shaw get their pink slips.

Barret Jackman is my hero.

In remembrance of Pavol Demitra and all our fallen Blues brethren.

by BluesTiger on Nov 2, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree.

With the talent we have on the powerplay, there is no excuse for the lack of production and the coaching situation needs to change in that department. The need more movement and need to utilize Berglund’s shot more. There is too much standing around and slow passes on the outside, which allow the PK to just pack and close up the shooting lanes. We need more movement and aggressive, direct, crisp passes.

by mulax6 on Nov 2, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

If you can't find enough team stats...

… visit the NHL’s website.

The Blues are giving up 1.64 goals per game at 5-on-5 (18 goals in 11 games).

At even strength or on the PP, the Blues’ combined save percentage is .917. On the penalty kill, it’s .811.

by BleedBlue42 on Nov 2, 2011 6:25 PM CDT reply actions

hmm

so discounting the penalty kill fail, the blues netminding. if it were a person, lets say haliott would rank tied for 31st in save percentage by a goalie at the sec )tied with thomas griess

interesting.

now based on gaa alone and haliott’s even srength only numbers against everyone else’s full game, haliott would be seventh. which isnt bad, just above some goalie named elliot.

And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers.

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 2, 2011 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions