Like everyone, I think, I am frustrated with the sharks play vs teams not bound for the playoffs. But then I thought maybe I just remember the losses to bad teams more, so I decided to take a look at some numbers, and here is what I found:
Sharks record vs teams currently in playoff position: 27-9-2 (19 ROW) .737
Sharks record vs teams NOT in playoff position: 21-7-7 (15 ROW) .700
The sharks not only have a worse record vs teams not in the playoffs, but also have closer games (13 of 35 have gone to OT).
Sharks GF/G vs playoffs: (120/38) = 3.158
Sharks GA/G vs playoffs: (84/38) = 2.211
Sharks GF/GA vs playoffs: (120/84) = 1.428
Sharks GF/G vs non-playoffs: (92/35) = 2.63
Sharks GA/G vs non-playoffs: (78/35) = 2.23
Sharks GF/GA vs non-playoff: (92/78) 1.179
While still above 1, the sharks GF/GA is WAY better against teams in the playoffs. The GA/G is roughly the same between teams (you would think it should be lower) but the GF/G is .5 lower!
Against the "bottom feeder" teams (12th+ in their conference, so carolina, ottawa, nyi, florida, buffalo, nashville, calgary and edmonton) the stats are this:
10-6-4 (9 ROW) .600
GF/G: (55/20) = 2.75
GA/G: (50/20) = 2.50
GF/GA: (55/50) = 1.10
Yes, the sharks have 10 wins, 10 losses vs the worst teams in the league. They also give up more .25 goals.
What about the top 4 teams in each conference? (blues, bruins, pens, lightning, ducks, hawks, canadiens):
14-4-0 (11 ROW) .778
GF/G: (58/18) 3.22
GA/G: (38/18) 2.11
GF/GA: (58/38) = 1.526
So now we know, it isn't just selective memory, the sharks are worse against bad teams. The question is why.
Is it luck (hard to believe over 30+ games)?
Is it lack of effort?
Does it show a team that steps up and puts extra effort against strong opponents?
Or does it show a mentally weak team that doesn't want to try against bad teams?
Does it matter come playoffs since they are all the better teams?
Sharks record vs teams currently in playoff position: 27-9-2 (19 ROW) .737
Sharks record vs teams NOT in playoff position: 21-7-7 (15 ROW) .700
The sharks not only have a worse record vs teams not in the playoffs, but also have closer games (13 of 35 have gone to OT).
Sharks GF/G vs playoffs: (120/38) = 3.158
Sharks GA/G vs playoffs: (84/38) = 2.211
Sharks GF/GA vs playoffs: (120/84) = 1.428
Sharks GF/G vs non-playoffs: (92/35) = 2.63
Sharks GA/G vs non-playoffs: (78/35) = 2.23
Sharks GF/GA vs non-playoff: (92/78) 1.179
While still above 1, the sharks GF/GA is WAY better against teams in the playoffs. The GA/G is roughly the same between teams (you would think it should be lower) but the GF/G is .5 lower!
Against the "bottom feeder" teams (12th+ in their conference, so carolina, ottawa, nyi, florida, buffalo, nashville, calgary and edmonton) the stats are this:
10-6-4 (9 ROW) .600
GF/G: (55/20) = 2.75
GA/G: (50/20) = 2.50
GF/GA: (55/50) = 1.10
Yes, the sharks have 10 wins, 10 losses vs the worst teams in the league. They also give up more .25 goals.
What about the top 4 teams in each conference? (blues, bruins, pens, lightning, ducks, hawks, canadiens):
14-4-0 (11 ROW) .778
GF/G: (58/18) 3.22
GA/G: (38/18) 2.11
GF/GA: (58/38) = 1.526
So now we know, it isn't just selective memory, the sharks are worse against bad teams. The question is why.
Is it luck (hard to believe over 30+ games)?
Is it lack of effort?
Does it show a team that steps up and puts extra effort against strong opponents?
Or does it show a mentally weak team that doesn't want to try against bad teams?
Does it matter come playoffs since they are all the better teams?
