Weird SKA TOI

[Kshahdoo]

Gusev Nikita
Regular: 17+65, +39 in 62 games, 15:52
Playoffs: 8+9, +1 in 15 games, 17:59

Plotnikov Sergey
Regular: 19+20, +23 in 61 games, 17:56
Playoffs: 2+10, +2 in 15 games, 19:59.

I understand, Plotnikov plays PK and Gusev doesn't, but still he has 2 more min TOI averagely, being vastly inferior player. Does Gusev stamina suck? Well, he played 21:20 in the Olympic final and was by far the best player on the ice.

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[Caser]

Gusev Nikita
Regular: 17+65, +39 in 62 games, 15:52
Playoffs: 8+9, +1 in 15 games, 17:59

Plotnikov Sergey
Regular: 19+20, +23 in 61 games, 17:56
Playoffs: 2+10, +2 in 15 games, 19:59.

I understand, Plotnikov plays PK and Gusev doesn't, but still he has 2 more min TOI averagely, being vastly inferior player. Does Gusev stamina suck? Well, he played 21:20 in the Olympic final and was by far the best player on the ice.

From my observations it is more about the game situation - if SKA is in the lead they don't really need Gusev on the ice except for the PP, as the defense is not a strong part of his game. So for example in the last game vs. CSKA Gusev played only 4 shifts in the 3rd period.

 

[Atas2000]

Gusev Nikita
Regular: 17+65, +39 in 62 games, 15:52
Playoffs: 8+9, +1 in 15 games, 17:59

Plotnikov Sergey
Regular: 19+20, +23 in 61 games, 17:56
Playoffs: 2+10, +2 in 15 games, 19:59.

I understand, Plotnikov plays PK and Gusev doesn't, but still he has 2 more min TOI averagely, being vastly inferior player. Does Gusev stamina suck? Well, he played 21:20 in the Olympic final and was by far the best player on the ice.

Welcome to the playoffs. Role players become work horses. It also depends on game situation. Gusev won't play on PK. If tgere is a lot of PK, Plotnikov will get more TOI.

 

[Kshahdoo]

SKA didn't have that much PK for Plotnikov to have 2 more min, than Gusev. But SKA had a lot of close games to play its leaders a lot. Gusev still has 6 more goals and 5 more points, than Plotnikov, so you can't say, he sucks during this playoffs run.

I'd understand the situation, if Vorobyov was some kind of a hockey guru, like Tikhonov or Tarasov and knew the game better, than all of NHL, KHL and other coaches, but he isn't.

 

[Atas2000]

SKA didn't have that much PK for Plotnikov to have 2 more min, than Gusev. But SKA had a lot of close games to play its leaders a lot. Gusev still has 6 more goals and 5 more points, than Plotnikov, so you can't say, he sucks during this playoffs run.

I'd understand the situation, if Vorobyov was some kind of a hockey guru, like Tikhonov or Tarasov and knew the game better, than all of NHL, KHL and other coaches, but he isn't.

Close games might also mean you match up a guy like Plotnikov against the other's team top line. I've watched a fair share of SKA games tgese playoffs. Gusev's TOI never seemed to be a concern.

And why is Tikhonov untouchable somehow? Do you think he never made mistakes?

I don't say Vorobyev is doing everything right. I am not a fan either. I just think you overblow a non-issue here. TOI distribution can be very opportunistic, especially in the playoffs. If it was that simple: put out your best guys for 22 minutes, then who'd need coaches?

 

[SoundAndFury]

Well, when Hunter was the coach Ovechkin would get 12 minutes TOI in some games. Same situation. Protecting the lead at all cost (like one of sitting your best player on the bench for extended periods) makes more sense than the probability of scoring more goals to some (most?) coaches.