So it comes that time for something we do once or twice a round as we have some Fun With Numbers. The playoffs have created some very weird events that have made people more than just scratch their heads. Our goal is to take team numbers and player numbers then spin them into something a bit more easier to digest.
In life, numbers just seem to fly at you from all angles. Hell numbers have their own shows now. “Numbers Don’t Lie” is a good example on ESPN. Does anyone want to dive into some of these? I bet you do so here it goes…..
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FUN WITH FANTASY NUMBERS:
5 — The amount of games that have gone into OT in a row between the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes….also the amount of games in a row that the first team to tally a goal lost in the Philly-Pittsburgh series (at press time).
0 — The amount of points by Patrick Marleau in the postseason. This is more stunning considering how heavily relied upon a guy like Marleau has been throughout the years. His playoff history has been checkered however and this one has to be the final nail in the coffin as far as his San Jose days.
50 — This was the number of goalies in the first five games between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. That is the highest ever in the postseason but includes games of 5 and 7 goals also. There were two 13’s and a 12 along the way. The goaltenders have been below average which means insane fantasy numbers for the Forwards on both sides in this one.
3 — The amount of rats that flew during play in last night’s Game 5 in Florida. There is no word on if that will make the Panthers an extra $15.
7 — The New Jersey Devils were the best PK of all time at 89.5% during the regular season yet have been shredded for seven power play goals by the Florida Panthers including a stretch of three in a row in their own building where they had a PK rate of over 90% during the season.
45.2 — Yes that is the faceoff winning percentage of the New York Rangers. It is hard to maintain puck possession when one does not have the puck in the first place. The Rangers were at just about 50% (49.9) during the regular season but in the playoffs they have lost nearly 60% of their defensive zone draws as well. Converting scoring chances would be nice too but one thing at a time.
1 — This is the number of power play goals Chicago and Boston have in their first round series so far. Now that is not a misprint in the least as the two teams have gone a combined 2-32. The fact that Boston’s top six has produced so little and Chicago’s top six has looked so befuddled on the man advantage is kind of disturbing. Do not expect it to get much better. Lastly, the talent is too great to see such ridiculous futility.
2 — The number of games where a goaltender had a save percentage of .900 or greater in the Battle Of Pennsylvania. One was executed by each goaltender. When you think of how the other series have gone….it is pretty sobering.
190 — That is the total amount of saves that Mike Smith has had to make so far in five games against Chicago. When you stop 38 shots a game (especially the number of chances), that can get taxing. It will be interesting to see what Smith has left in the tank for Game 6 and maybe even Game 7.
6 — Here is the last one. Only a half dozen short handed goals have been scored in the first round of the playoffs and by three teams (Philly 3 LA 2 FLA 1). Dustin Brown has two of those goals in one game, mind you. However, scoring chances shorthanded are actually up from last postseason by a hair. This one is being filed under strange but true.
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Enjoy the rest of the games today and “Turkeys, Studs And The Toolbox” may be coming soon.
