The Two-Line Pass

Because I tend to not blog on the weekends, here is a feature that will run through the entire season. It aims to recap the weekend’s events and boils those events down to one admittedly superficial fact about each team that played. And hell, there’s a ton of other crap for me to blather on about too. And yes, I’m totally ripping off just about every other blogger ever’s weekly column, but that’s something you’ll have to deal with on your own time.

Danger: This post contains language that some people might not like. This will be the only thing on the site that regularly does so.

Okay sure, Mike Green had his streak of consecutive games with a goal scored snapped today against the Panthers, but he scored 10 goals in his previous eight games, and one imagines it’s going to be a long time before you see anyone do that again.

Now I know I’ve been almost too enthusiastic in my Greenie-backing, but come on. The guy scored TEN GOALS in EIGHT GAMES. As a defenseman! His shooting percentage in those eight games: 34.5. Just ridiculous.

In just those eight games, Mike Green scored enough goals to be just one behind St. Louis’ entire blue line for the season. Currently, he has 22 goals, which, coming into Sunday is equal to or more than the total goal output for the defensemen of 17 NHL clubs. No other single defenseman is within two-thirds of that number. His 15 goals on the power play alone, a number which leads the league, are more than any other defenseman’s overall total (three, though, are tied with 14).

His goal total has him tied for 22nd in the league, ahead of 525 forwards and 276 defensemen.

He led all NHL defensemen in goals last year too, with 18. He needed only to play 40:43 of his 41st game to reach that total this year, and eclipsed it 18:04 after that. In fact, the only defenseman to score more goals in a season than Green since the 2002-03 campaign was Sheldon Souray in 2006-07, when he scored 26. That’s four more than Green, sure, but it’s also in nearly double the number of games (81 to Green’s current 44).

And if Green continues to score at his current pace in Washington’s remaining 25 games, he’ll score 12.8 more (call it 13). His 35 goals in a season would have tied him for 15th in the league last year, ahead of guys like Olli Jokinen, Dustin Brown, Derek Roy and Zach Parise.

This year, though, his goals per game pace (.50 even) is 10th in the entire league, and a full .21 more than that of the next-closest defenseman, Danny Boyle. Only one of Green’s goals has been into an empty net (and even that wasn’t until game seven of the streak, when he’d already scored earlier in the game), and another was shorthanded. His 22 would also give him or tie him for the lead on 12 NHL teams.

Green doesn’t just pile on the goals, either. He’s scored two in a game just three times this season and, oddly, Washington won only one of those.

He is also an expert puck distributor, amassing 28 assists in his 44 games (.65 per game, tied for 17th in the league). Those 28 helpers are good for 44th among all NHLers, tied with guys like Nik Zherdev, Scott Gomez, JP Dumont, and Boyle.

His plus-28 is tied for second among all NHL defensemen, behind only Dennis Wideman who’s a plus-29 and tied with Duncan Keith. His current shooting percentage of 14.5 is the best by an NHL defenseman since 1996-97 at least (NHL.com’s stats only go back that far).

Interestingly, the Caps have won 13 of the 19 games in which Green got on the scoresheet (a winning percentage of 68.4, just 0.9 ahead of Washington’s season average). When Green doesn’t score, though, the Capitals’ winning percentage drops to 62.5.

For all the talk of Green’s questionable defense, he’s only been a minus in seven of his games this year, and has been even 14 more times. That means he’s been a plus player in more than half of his games, and has been plus-2 or better 11 times (a full 25 percent of his games played!).

He’s also eating the ninth-most minutes of any NHL player at 25:33.

To sum up: Give this guy a fucking Norris already.

(The other cool thing about Mike Green is that he looks confused in literally every picture ever taken of him. Perhaps he believes that the camera is stealing a piece of his soul.)

What We Learned

Anaheim — I know the Ducks are struggling to keep the puck out of the net lately, but how the christ do you give up eight goals to Atlanta? Ilya Kovalchuk can’t have had five or six, right?

Atlanta — Speaking of the Thrashers, it really sucks being a fan of theirs, apparently.

Welcome to Blah-land — formerly Blueland — where the ownership is fighting itself, the team is in the cellar and angst grows over the very future of hockey in Atlanta.

Recipe for success? You know it, daddy.

Boston — One thing I don’t understand is how Kevin Paul Dupont can say that a full, healthy Bruins team would have unequivocally beaten the Sharks on Tuesday night. Of greater interest to me is that the Bruins drop $400,000 a year on sticks. That’s crazy.

Buffalo — Boy that plane crash sure was unfortunate, but it was really nice to see the Sabres pick up a big win the next night and have the entire building go We-Just-Won-The-Stanley-Cup ballistic. Just what that city needed, I think.

Calgary — Let me tell you what a pain in my fucking ass Jarome Iginla has been. He’s on pace for 86 points in 82 games, yes, but before this shitty little slump of his that’s now nine games long (he has only four points, three of which are assists, and is a minus-5) he was on pace for like 96. So yeah, great job, Iggy. You lazy turd.

Carolina — So let me get this straight. Cam Ward gives up four goals on 13 shots on Thursday, four on 19 Saturday, and somehow earns another go today? And then has a 36-save shutout? What the hell kinda sense does that make?

Chicago — Khabibulin got hurt and Antti Niemi is up to replace him. Just in time for the deadline. That’s one way to get that retarded cap hit off the books, innit?

Colorado — The latest sad commentary on the state of the Colorado Avalanche comes to us from Shane Giroux’s fine blog, Avs Talk: “Ian Laperriere, CodyMcCormick and Ben Guite were the line of the night tonight.” Oh doctor is that bad news.

Columbus — Steve Mason’s over his mono and back to being awesome, which is nice to hear. He’s 2-0-0 since coming back, making 61 saves on 64 shots against Detroit and Columbus on back-to-back nights. Y’know, because he only had MONO! Dear Ken Hitchcock: Give this kid a rest before he dies from exhaustion tomorrow afternoon.

Dallas — I think the best thing about Sean Avery coming back to hockey after however-many months is that the Stars and those associated with them are still intent on blaming him for Dallas’ atrocious start. They should make armor for the US Armed Forces out of Marty Turco’s skin, cuz that fuckin’ guy is inexplicably bulletproof.

Detroit — Know who no one talks about any more? The Red Wings. Know why? They’re not that good. Two straight 6-5 shootout losses is funny and all, I guess, but jesus christ should this team not be giving up five goals to anyone under any circumstance if they want to be considered an “elite team.” They’ve done it seven times this year for the love of Pete! They’re 2-2-3 in those games. San Jose’s done it six times but are 3-2-1 in those, and Boston’s done it just three times (1-1-1).

Edmonton — Ethan Moreau belted the absolute shit outta Dustin Brown, then fought Matt Greene on one shift. Hate to praise the Oil, but goddamn, don’t piss off Ethan Moreau by hitting his teammates.

Florida — I’m sure you’ve seen this by now, but please enjoy Randy Moller’s goal calls, all of which are fantastic.

This game is tied up at one. I go to work like a doctor!

Los Angeles — Caught a couple Kings games this week and boy is this gonna be one scary-ass team in like two years. Maybe even next year if they can get some secondary scoring. Still a few too many guys that are still learning the ropes or whatever, but that’s a very solid core with very little money committed for the next however-many years and a lot of guys with room to grow. As a fan of a Western Conference team, these fellas scare the hell out of me going forward. Oh yeah, and now they’re standing up for eachother to boot.

Minnesota —Doug Risebrough is an awful forgiving guy. His team completely melted down on Saturday in an hilarious and mortifying fashion: they led by three early and lost 5-3. But Dougie understands, hence this ludicrous quote in the Star Tribune this morning:

“They’ve got to get together and get over it,” Risebrough said. “I would have worried if we hadn’t talked to them. They were down. They were disappointed, but you’ve got to get through it, you’ve got to get by that. You’ve got to get over it and get moving on.”

After he said that, he took everyone out for ice cream! Christ, how do you even begin to talk about dropping a three-goal lead to the Senators and then giving up five goals TO THE SENATORS without using the term “execution-style?” Maybe this is why I’m not an NHL general manager.

Montreal — Pretty good story by Eliotte Friedman about Carey Price being awful lately, and how he shouldn’t worry too much. Personally, I’d worry, Carey.

Nashville — Funny stat: The Predators are undefeated in games they’ve led after one period. But because they’re shitty, they’ve only led after one period 13 times. They’re also 15-2 when leading after two. Basically, if they get a lead they can sit on it. But they can’t get leads. Like, ever.

New Jersey — Quite the quandry, that’s for sure. Do you let Scott Clemmensen continue to tear it up for you when Marty Brodeur comes back in like a week? Do you rotate them? Or do you say “Thanks but take a goddamn seat, Scott.” I think I’d try to Matt Cassell ol’ Scottie ASAP and trade him at the deadline to someone that needs a goalie (oo! oo! Detroit!), but Clemmensen’s agent would be stupid to let that happen.

New York Islanders — Mark Streit will be back soon, and that should help the Isles big-time.

New York Rangers — Sean Avery’s back playing hockey, for Hartford. Yes, surely this will save the Rangers’ dismal season. I like Avery and all, but this New Avery? I dunno. I’ll probably like it as much as I like the New NHL, which is to say “very little.” Two things I support: bring back clutching and grabbing, and bring back sloppy seconds.

Ottawa — Jesus, are the Sens putting something together here? Four wins in a row? A full 13 goals in their last three games? Maybe the coaching, and not the absurd number of personnel issues, WAS the problem!?

Philadelphia — So today Mike Richards set an NHL record for scoring goals while killing a 5-on-3. He has scored three such goals. Are you surprised that it came against the Rangers? Cuz I’m not.

Phoenix — The first couple lines of this post on Saturday’s Calgary/Phoenix game from Five for Howling perfectly sums up the feelings of not only Coyotes fans, but also most Flames fans I know. Whenever two teams’ fans are angry, sad and frustrated over a game, it was surely a complete and total gong show.

Pittsburgh — Hey, a new coach! About damn time. Should’ve happened two months ago.

San Jose — If you missed the Sharks’ 6-5 loss to New Jersey today, you missed a pisser of a game. Even despite the stupidly high score, it was really exciting. Three third-period goals from the home team to win it. Super fun.

St. Louis — David Perron is a perfectly good hockey player, but he must have literally murdered several family members of the Blues’ higher-ups. Despite having no one worth mentioning in the lineup, Perron has been dropped to the fourth line. I don’t understand it.

Tampa Bay — Interesting blog post the other day from Damien Cristodero with maybe the easiest headline question ever. “Do the Penguins want St. Louis?” Yes, they do.

Toronto — At least some people around here can admit when they’re wrong.

Vancouver — One thing you don’t wanna do: Pin too many hopes on Jason LaBarbera.

Washington — Great little story here about the Caps finally being cool in DC. So good to see. No organization has a more entertaining team with probably the best ownership in professional sports. Those boys deserve it. The Caps are fun as hell to watch on a more or less nightly basis, and I say this as a person who has little to no interest in what happens in the Southeast division apart from how Semin and Green affect my fantasy team (”positively,” if you’re wondering). It’s almost enough to make me wish I, too, was a diehard Caps fan.

Play of the Weekend

It takes balls to pull off a slew-foot this blatant. Great work outta Andrei Kostitsyn. Top-class.

Gold Star Award

There really ain’t no stoppin’ this kid. Third hattie this year, seventh in his career. Unreal.

Next week’s game I’m totally going to watch on Center Ice if I’m home

After a week of so many fantastic matchups, there isn’t shitall to watch next week, for real. The highlights MIGHT be the LA and New York derbies on Wednesday. And that’s sad.

Event that should replace the shootout and would be just as relevant to hockey skill

Trick shot contest. With guns.

Soccer update only I care about

Well there was no Liverpool match this week (international break and all that) but the US continued its dominance over Mexico, winning dos a cero … again! Just stop trying to play us in America, Mexico. If we keep the games in your second-world country with third-world accomodations we might just see a close game.

College hockey update only I care about

Lowell had a three-point weekend against No. 15 Boston College to take five of six points from the Eagles in the season series. That’s awesome. Even better was that Lowell went into BC on Friday night and doled out a 6-0 asskicking that saw Lowell outscore BC on the Eagles’ NINE power plays 2-0. Yes, that’s right. BC was 0-9 on the PP and gave up a pair of shorties. It was hilarious. BC did, of course, tie Lowell the next night, because why wouldn’t they?

The No. 1 DVD I own and kind of want to watch this week but likely will not

Who cares I’m very busy.

An update on last week’s “No. 1 DVD I own and kind of want to watch this week but likely will not“

Didn’t put much thought into it.

Perfect HFBoards trade proposal of the week

User Bodishattva muses that we might just see a blockbuster between New Jersey and Detroit. That’s right: Brodeur for Datsyuk str8 up!

Likely Never to see Brodeur wear another sweater. But just for kicks.

Could Brodeur get the Devils Dats straight up?

Because Dats on the Devils makes them unbeatable, imo, the way that team is playing and Clems looks very sound in goal in this the year 2009

Okay sure let’s see if the Devils trade the best goalie ever and the player synonymous with the team so that they can rely upon Scott Clemmensen for what they hope will be a deep playoff run. Right.

Signoff in a language that’s not English

This entry was posted on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 3:20 am and is filed under What We Learned. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.