Statistical Comparisons: '06-'09

[Chunkylover 26]

There is a lot of debate between the Osgood lovers and the Osgood haters (although I'm sure no one actually hates him), and the proponents of the team acquiring a fighter and those who don't see that as a necessity. I am of the mind that while Osgood has been bad, he's not been helped by his team. I also believe trading for a fighter is unnecessary. I pulled some statistics to see if my argument was actually supported be the numbers.

2006-2007 Regular Season

Hits per game: 15.5

Blocked shots per game: 10.1

Give-aways per game: 12.5

Take-aways per game: 7.9

Shots per game: 33.8

Shots against per game: 24.6

2006-2007 Post-Season (18 games played)

HPG: 26.0

BPG: 11.8

GTG: 14.0

TPG: 9.7

SPG: 34.7

SAPG: 24.7

2007-2008 Regular Season

HPG: 17.2

BPG: 8.6

GPG: 8.2

TPG: 6.5

SPG: 34.4

SAPG: 23.5

2007-2008 Post-Season (22 games played)

HPG: 25.8

BPG: 9.8

GPG: 9.0

TPG: 7.6

SPG: 36.5

SAPG: 23.6

2008-2009 Regular Season (through 58 games)

HPG: 18.3

BPG: 9.1

GTG: 7.2

TPG: 5.6

SPG: 36.1

SAPG: 27.7

There is a trend between the regular season and the post-season: the team steps up the physical play when the playoffs start. Kronwall's spectacular hits, which occurred exclusively in the '08 playoffs, are anecdotal evidence which coincides with the 50% increase in hits in the playoffs. Additionally the team sold out more in the shot-blocking category as well in the post-season.

In '08-'09 hits are down to numbers consistent with the last two regular seasons, as well as most every other statistic. The only anomaly is the shots against per game this season. I believe the decrease in physical play has contributed to the increase in shots per game and exacerbated a concurrent slump by Osgood.

To be sure, something must be done to get Ozzie playing better: both he and Conks have faced an average of 26.7 per game while Ozzie's allowed a goal more per game. Even still, neither goalie in this year's tandem has played as well as those of '07-'08.

Hope someone finds this interesting.

[Echolalia 2,961]

The only reason we lost the playoffs that year was because we had a much more difficult road to the WCF than Anaheim did, and we had suffered some key injuries (ie Schneider). We also got a bit lazy (or tired) in the last two games.

[Chunkylover 26]

The only reason we lost the playoffs that year was because we had a much more difficult road to the WCF than Anaheim did, and we had suffered some key injuries (ie Schneider). We also got a bit lazy (or tired) in the last two games.

But they still stepped up the physical play. Every year the team's toughness is questioned and every year, in the playoffs, they answer that question. Surprisingly there are a lot of people, ostensibly educated fans, who still haven't caught on to that fact.

[b.shanafan14 733]

The only reason we lost the playoffs that year was because we had a much more difficult road to the WCF than Anaheim did, and we had suffered some key injuries (ie Schneider). We also got a bit lazy (or tired) in the last two games.

This plus the fact that we had game 5 and the series advantage locked up until they called a weak/phantom penalty on Datsyuk, leading to them tying the game and eventually winning the game and eventually the series.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

It was a close a series as I've seen, and the Ducks were ******* lucky to get that Game 5 tally, but that's hockey. Either team could have won it, and they did.

[Casey 145]

To be sure, something must be done to get Ozzie playing better: both he and Conks have faced an average of 26.7 per game while Ozzie's allowed a goal more per game. Even still, neither goalie in this year's tandem has played as well as those of '07-'08.

Hope someone finds this interesting.

I agreed until you said that. Conklin's playing as well as either Hasek or Osgood was last year, even discounting the smaller pads. Conk is sitting at 91.1 save percentage, when Oz had a 91.4 and Dom a 90.2. Ozzie's play has slid, but our "backup" goalie is as good as either of last year's.

[Chunkylover 26]

I agreed until you said that. Conklin's playing as well as either Hasek or Osgood was last year, even discounting the smaller pads. Conk is sitting at 91.1 save percentage, when Oz had a 91.4 and Dom a 90.2. Ozzie's play has slid, but our "backup" goalie is as good as either of last year's.

I was referring to their goals-against averages. Conk's is 2.3, Osgood's is 3.2 or something like that. Last season his was 2.0something.

[Casey 145]

Point given. Conks would still be in the conversation, sitting at 2.33, but Osgood's way off the ball- last season was around a 2.07 and this year at 3.2.

[Dawgs 0]

Take aways are down by 2 per game. That is a big reason why shots against per game have increased. I was surprised to see the give aways so closely mimicing the past two seasons. That right there would lead an outsider to believe its all on Ozzie.

[Echolalia 2,961]

But they still stepped up the physical play. Every year the team's toughness is questioned and every year, in the playoffs, they answer that question. Surprisingly there are a lot of people, ostensibly educated fans, who still haven't caught on to that fact.

Sorry I misunderstood your post. I thought you were comparing this year with 06-07, particularly any similarities between goaltender and/or team toughness.

This plus the fact that we had game 5 and the series advantage locked up until they called a weak/phantom penalty on Datsyuk, leading to them tying the game and eventually winning the game and eventually the series.

As appealing as it is to blame the Wings' series loss on something that they couldn't control, its just an excuse in my book (and this is in no way a knock on you).

[Chunkylover 26]

Point given. Conks would still be in the conversation, sitting at 2.33, but Osgood's way off the ball- last season was around a 2.07 and this year at 3.2.

Agreed. Osgood is slumping, but I think the softer defense has turned what could have been a small slump into a ten-day benching.