Drivesaitl
Finding Hyman
I'd like to see some evidence that scoring is more likely from the point than from in close in the playoffs. I doubt it is true at all. These sorts of stats are not absolute. That's a given. But there is a undeniable correlation between where a shot attempt is initiated from and the likelihood of a goal. Why would this somehow change in the playoffs?
Statistically over 50% of NHL goals are scored within 20 ft of the net. The range between 10ft and 20 ft is the sweet-spot. That distance is the right balance between being close enough to limit the goalies reaction time and far enough away to give the shooter a bigger target. The HDSC are generally unblocked shots in this range or all shots from closer in. Once you are outside 30 ft the chances of a goal drops significantly.
Here is the shot map for Leon this year. He scored virtually all of his goals within this range.
MoneyPuck.com -Shot Maps
5 vs 5 this is even more pronounced.
MoneyPuck.com -Shot Maps
I'd be curious to know who these players are on the Hawks who typically score from further out. Kane for example scored 1 5 vs 5 goal from outside the dot.
MoneyPuck.com -Shot Maps
Kubalik is similar
MoneyPuck.com -Shot Maps
Toews scores from basically right in front of the net
MoneyPuck.com -Shot Maps
The one guy I can think of who might be the exception is OV. He scores from everywhere but he also shoots from everywhere.
Again, this is not to take anything away from Chicago. I think they played as well as they could. I also think that they got every break they could expect. Getting big goals from guys like Matt Highmore is not something one would expect any more than one would have expected Haas to get the game 4 winner. Kkk and Matta are not exactly known for their goal scoring. Keith is really the only defenseman they have who has teh skill you are attributing to the Hawk defensemen.
I don't think I stated more goals are scored from the point. I said in playoffs more of the goals are scored from the point than is the case in the regular season. Things are tighter in playoff hockey, typically, and so that teamss in tight games look more for every way to score. At least teams that know better do.
But again the Hawks scored 10 goals originating from the point. Thats why they won. In anycase the Hawks scored several, that would never even be considered scoring chances under the typical metrics.
I mean kudos to knock yourself out with kinds of stats but I wouldn't be spending that much time on any of until the NHL actually has sensor pucks, sticks, skates etc, and that the data is quantifiable, and accurate.
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