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Scientific Breakthrough In Edmonton?
by IwoCPO on 11/21/08 at 08:05 AM ET
Comments (20)
Aside from being a mild mannered reporter for the Edmonton Sun…
No wonder head coach Craig MacTavish is going grey trying to figure out his players. One minute they’re lifeless, gutless quitters, the next minute they’re battling, swarming, never-say-die comeback kings.
...Robert Tychowski is also an esteemed genetic biologist.
Clearly, this is a team with a split personality. And lately, the side of the personality that contains the suck chromosome is taking over.
“Suck chromosome...” Got it. Hemingway and whatever famous geneticologist (made that one up too...thanks) all rolled into one.
The chatter’s started but it’s still at a low murmur. Soon, it’s going to build to a roar. The Wing power play has now reached obscene levels. After last night’s 3-5 performance, accomplished minus Homer and a suddenly “sore back”, the numbers are going to start staggering people around the league.
34.2 percent over an 18 game stretch. C’mon. That’s just sick. Second? Unbelievably, it’s St. Louis at 24.0. Much more believable is the fact that the Bitter Blues have the worst record in the league...always a fun phrase to type. And check this out, they’re 5th in the PK. A special teams index of 7 and the worst record in the NHL. Only in St. Louis.
Back to the Wings. We knew the man-advantage was going to be good. But c’mon. And, again, we’re reminded why the Wings don’t necessarily need an enforcer. Any team who goes to the box with any kind of frequency against Detroit is suicidal. Down goes Homer. In comes Kopecky. Tomas Kopecky on the first PP unit? Why the Hell not?
Kopecky, at the very least, screened the goalie on one power-play goal and tipped in another to help lead the Wings to a 3-0 lead in the first 10:11. “I played power play last year a little bit,” Kopecky said. “I know what to do. You’ve got to pay the price to be in front.”
And if not Kopecky, then Hudler. Little Oompa Loompa. And if not Hudler, then you know who’s going to come calling. Three power play goals last night in less than 5 minutes of ice time.
A few points of reference. The 84-85 Oilers? 25.4 percent. 90-91 Pens? 22.94.
Only 18 games you say? Got it. Understand. But 18 games is a quarter of the season. I guess the only way they could be better is if they were...bigger. Eh Barry?
“I look at them as the Detroit Red Wings — except super-sized,” Nashville’s Barry Trotz said this week.
Talking to the San Jose Mercury News, Trotz says the skill level is the same only San Jose has more size and strength.
Sour news for you Barry. Bubba’s got the 20th ranked PK in the league, less than 80 percent. You wanna see super size? How about a super-sized Christmas present when the Wings come-a-callin’ December 26th?
Hey. Anybody see any quotes from Ozzie this morning? Me either. That would be weird because he said last week that the little tantrum was a once/yearly deal. We all know by now he’s not really into the whole 3 goals/game thing. Kinda irritates him. Uncle Mike feels bad for the little guy.
“For Ozzie, I would have liked to have only given up two because it seems to be three (goals against) all the time for him,’’ Babcock said. “Last year his save percentage and goals against were way better, so we got to do the job to help him out…
But…
...he’s got to help himself, too.’’
Oh. Right.
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Comments
a few other stats, since I’m bored…
Wings are…
1st in goals per game at 3.67
21st goals against per game at 3.06 (Minnesota #1 at 2.00)
11th in 5-on-5 GF vs GA at 1.09 (Boston #1 at 1.68)
We all know their PP is #1, but their PK is only #16. of course, if you add up the “Bowman number” (34.2 + 81.6) they’re at a whopping 115.8.
2nd in shots per game at 36.4 (San Jose #1 with 37.9)
8th in GA per game at 28.3 (LA #1 at 23.9)
1st when scoring first at 84.6%
12th when trailing after the first period at 40%
6th when leading after the first at 90% (all teams ahead of them are 100% - Minnesota, Nashville, Ottawa, Montreal, and Dallas)
15th (50%) when being outshot and 3rd (80%) when outshooting their opponent. San Jose is 4th (73%) when outshooting their opponent and 1st (100%) when being outshot. of course at 37.9/26.0 SF/SA they don’t get outshot all that much, I’m guessing that 100% represents one or two games only.
what does this all tell me? if the Wings can improve their defense they’ll be absolutely unstoppable.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 11/21/08 at 09:35 AM ET
About that “Suck Chromosome” ...The World Health Organization has traced it’s origin to Denver, and pin-pointed the index case.....a certain cross-dressing ‘Dique fan who like to kill baby ducks......
I thought that certain gene is a comination of DNA soup from Denver, Toronto and St Louis?
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 11/21/08 at 09:38 AM ET
Have to agree with Uncle Mike here. Ozzie definitely improved his game dramatically. He posted a SV% of over .900 in the game and made three or four crucial saves. That’s a great sign.
But if Ozzie is really upset about giving up three instead of two, look no further than the mirror. The defense wasn’t as good as it was Monday (and still not exactly where it should be), but it was pretty good, especially on the extended double-minor PK at the end of the game. The Cogliano goal was a weak one, and I would have to imagine that Ozzie is simply upset with himself for letting that one in. Stuart did a nice job reaching back and keeping Cogliano from driving the net on that play after Flip got picked near the blue line, giving the Oilers the mismatch down low. Credit Cogliano for using his speed to get a good scoring chance, but from that sharp angle, with that weak of a shot, Ozzie should make that save 99 times out of 100.
There’s no doubt Conklin is playing better right now. But there is also no doubt that unless Ozzie goes all ‘93-’94 on us, all the while Conklin plays like Ken Dryden, Ozzie is your starter come Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Overall, last night was a very odd game. I liked Lilja’s fight. Smart move. Hurt the Oilers to have Souray off for 5 minutes more than it hurt the Wings, and I think that fight helped the Wings dull the Edmonton push in the latter part of the first period. The three goals is a bit much, but I just find myself thinking that the guys gave good effort defensively, just a couple (and maybe the only) won draws by the Oilers and they made ‘em count, so good on them.
All in all, the last four games have shown a turn in direction, even if a slow one. We’ll see how they finish out the road trip here. Luongo is always tough, so if they win one of the next two, but put up closer to traditional Red Wing-like defensive efforts in both, I will feel real good about a 2-1 trip to western Canada coming home. But if they’re going to give up 3+ to the Flames and ‘Nucks, they better score 4 in each game and come home 3-0 on the trip for me to be satisfied.
Posted by Nathan on 11/21/08 at 09:57 AM ET
Hemingway and whatever famous geneticologist (made that one up too...thanks) all rolled into one.
I thought about being a geneticologist, but i’m sure that most of the women that come in are probably pretty gross.
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 11/21/08 at 10:22 AM ET
Last night’s game...I thought the first period was really pretty good up until the end of it and then I think the Wings got sloppy after that. Also, Edmonton decided to actually play hockey unlike Monday night. I texted a friend that it was the best Osgood had played in a while and he texted me back later that I jinxed him. OOPS.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 11/21/08 at 11:40 AM ET
It’s not just Barry.
From a Larry Wigge nhl.com column in October…
When I hear Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock say the Sharks might be better defensively than Detroit
A declaration made after four games.
I hope the Wings don’t overload on the turkey too much, because they have some ass-kicking to do come black Friday.
Posted by yawt from norcal on 11/21/08 at 11:44 AM ET
When I hear Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock say the Sharks might be better defensively than Detroit
To date, I’d call that an accute awareness of the obvious.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 11/21/08 at 12:24 PM ET
To date, I’d call that an accute awareness of the obvious.
They’ve had their 7-6 and 6-5 games too. They’ve given up shorthanded goals. Right now they’re bludgeoning opponents with SOG and offensive zone pressure, but the times (however few and far between) they’ve been hemmed in their own zone haven’t looked all that different than the Wings.
I know we’re only at the quarter pole, looooong way to go, but the Sharks can win 60+ games, 130+ points, finish with the best statistics in the league, and I’d still consider Anaheim the bigger threat in the playoffs. Maybe it’s just me.
Posted by yawt from norcal on 11/21/08 at 01:27 PM ET
I’m just wondering if anyone else out there thinks Flip has been kind of dogging it lately? Maybe a slight case of Penner syndrome? I’m just saying.....
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/21/08 at 01:38 PM ET
I’m just wondering if anyone else out there thinks Flip has been kind of dogging it lately? Maybe a slight case of Penner syndrome? I’m just saying.....
Don’t forget how good the Flip, Huds, CokeandPepsi line has been for us the last several games. They weren’t really putting up any points, but they were grinding as well as I’ve seen any Red Wings line grind in a long time.
That being said, I’d like to see more offensive production out of the kid.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 11/21/08 at 02:06 PM ET
Interesting story about the Wings’ recent Vancouver game on Deadspin today.
Isn’t Hank engaged?
http://deadspin.com/5095595/deadspin-deleted-scenes
Posted by Arthur2sheds on 11/21/08 at 02:07 PM ET
The more I think about it, it seems like nothing more than a good yarn.
Amusing though.
Unless you’re his wife, I s’pose.
Posted by Arthur2sheds on 11/21/08 at 02:36 PM ET
We haven’t heard from RWBill lately… oddly enough I think he’ll be around soon now Paul.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 11/21/08 at 03:00 PM ET
Mark your Calenders...A2Y19
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs dont live up to my expectations on 11/21/08 at 03:32 PM ET
I’m just wondering if anyone else out there thinks Flip has been kind of dogging it lately? Maybe a slight case of Penner syndrome? I’m just saying.....
Nope, I think he’s working as hard as anyone on the club… we have to remember that despite the payday, his numbers are likely going to stay about the same as they have been—if they don’t drop a bit—simply because the top 6 forwards are stacked and there is even less power play time for him than there was last year.
But I definitely would never consider him to be “dogging it”. He’s a hard working and an incredibly valuable player for all situations. In the seasons to come he will get plenty of offensive and PP opportunity and will put up some nice point numbers.
Basically, the same situation with Cleary. Even if he were healthy I’d full expect his numbers to fall to around 15 goals, 30 points. But again, in the coming seasons he’ll get a more prominent role as guys like Hossa, Sammy, and maybe even Hudler have to be let go.
There are a lot of guys with the ability to score 30 goals on this club, but only so many can do it because the league is so competitive that you don’t get a lot of opportunity to put your third line out on the PP and out in critical offensive situations, even though they might be more than capable of being successful.
Those guys will get their chances and find some nice numbers in the years to come, there is no doubt in my mind. Patience in this regard is one of the things that being a Red Wing is all about. Look at how long it took Tomas Holmstrom to be a first line player instead of just a power play specialist.
Posted by Nathan on 11/21/08 at 04:54 PM ET
Little Nick in tomorrow, Homer not. Meech up to the forward position.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 11/21/08 at 07:11 PM ET
Good points all around Nathan. Thanks for defending my boy Fil.
I can see Hudler developing into a mini-Shepherd; I don’t think he’ll hit 50 but will be a solid scorer (30-40) if he plays on other teams, especially in the East.
Z boinking a girl in a chicken suit? With Emma at home? And the boys around? Unless he lost a bet, he’s not settling for a random whose body he couldn’t scout. No chance. King Lidas would advise him to look before shooting.
Avery, however, I could believe. That guy has an std for sure.
Posted by Osrt on 11/21/08 at 10:21 PM ET
Points are well taken Nate. Maybe I’m just jumping the gun a little here.
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 11/22/08 at 06:42 AM ET
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About that “Suck Chromosome” ...The World Health Organization has traced it’s origin to Denver, and pin-pointed the index case.....a certain cross-dressing ‘Dique fan who like to kill baby ducks......
Posted by w2j2 on 11/21/08 at 08:35 AM ET