As I think you stated earlier, all these metrics when are in favor of one team it shows a higher probability for success, but they don't paint the full picture.

There are plenty of times I've watched games where one team is losing the stats battle, but the eye test appears totally different.
- Rinosaur

Like I said, I think this goes back to schemes and how well you play your scheme. Take last year's Ottawa Senators who were good at playing that smother brand of hockey. I'm pretty sure they were a bad possession team but I wouldn't say they got outplayed on a night to night basis because they were able to dictate game flow to their liking by sticking to their scheme. But as you and Machette have pointed out, that kind of trap hockey has a very small margin of error so their probability of sustained success was lower. Anderson has an off night and they're screwed. Where as the 2015-2016 Pens scheme had a much higher margin for error.

I think the Penguins can overcome a Malkin injury but it would be tough and obviously the margin from there becomes thin. Rowney won't (or shouldn't) play much so the top 3 centers would all play more. As long as we can avoid back to backs and overtime I really don't think it would be all that bad. Personally, I have and have had a ton of faith in Sheahan. I like his game and I think our top 3 lines are all effective right now and should all be positive against the Caps at 5v5. Hopefully our special teams is clicking and we roll
- WSCTeton17

Me too man, me too. HCMS does as well to having him jump up to 2C.

Me too man, me too. HCMS does as well to having him jump up to 2C.
- MattStrat

Honestly I think the Brassard line is playing at second unit caliber and it doesn't even have Phil Kessel. I think the game plan should be to deploy the Brassard unit like the Malkin unit usually is and deploy the Sheahan unit like we've deployed Phil Kessel third lines in the past. We can definitely survive a couple games without Geno fo need be.

Honestly I think the Brassard line is playing at second unit caliber and it doesn't even have Phil Kessel. I think the game plan should be to deploy the Brassard unit like the Malkin unit usually is and deploy the Sheahan unit like we've deployed Phil Kessel third lines in the past. We can definitely survive a couple games without Geno fo need be.
- Victoro311

I agree with all of that.

During the last game I kept saying for Sully to chop off the 4th forward line and bottom D pair...those units were not looking good. You can roll the top 9 F's and top 4 D's in a game and get away with it if need be.

I agree with all of that.

During the last game I kept saying for Sully to chop off the 4th forward line and bottom D pair...those units were not looking good. You can roll the top 9 F's and top 4 D's in a game and get away with it if need be.
- MattStrat

I really wish that Sullivan wasn't married to Kuhnhackl. ZAR and Kuhnhackl are abysmal compliments skill wise. I think that line would be a lot more effective with Simon playing the other flank.

Like I said, I think this goes back to schemes and how well you play your scheme. Take last year's Ottawa Senators who were good at playing that smother brand of hockey. I'm pretty sure they were a bad possession team but I wouldn't say they got outplayed on a night to night basis because they were able to dictate game flow to their liking by sticking to their scheme. But as you and Machette have pointed out, that kind of trap hockey has a very small margin of error so their probability of sustained success was lower. Anderson has an off night and they're screwed. Where as the 2015-2016 Pens scheme had a much higher margin for error.
- Victoro311

I can agree with all of this, especially the bolded part. It's how a "lesser" team (hate that term) can beat a better team.

Basically, when someone says a team was "outplayed but won," I obviously know what they mean. I just don't agree with the phrase, much like I don't agree with the phrase "scoring chances." That's all.

You guys love you some Sheahan lol

I can agree with all of this, especially the bolded part. It's how a "lesser" team (hate that term) can beat a better team.

Basically, when someone says a team was "outplayed but won," I obviously know what they mean. I just don't agree with the phrase, much like I don't agree with the phrase "scoring chances." That's all.
- jmatchett383

I see where you're coming from and I don't think we necessarily disagree with a whole lot, I think that in general I'm just more susceptible to thinking a team got outplayed.

Again, I ask the question: Why are goaltenders not considered part of a team? If they outplayed the Penguins, they would have scored more goals than the Penguins in more games.

Did they have a heavy advantage is shots and puck possession time: absolutely. Does that often contribute to winning: again, absolutely. But one of the biggest parts of your team outplaying the other team has to do with how well your goalie plays compared to the other team's goalie. Last year, the Penguins' team outscored the Capitals team in 4 out of 7 games, and that is why they were the better team (IMO).

The goalie didn't outplay anyone, he got lucky!!

I can agree with all of this, especially the bolded part. It's how a "lesser" team (hate that term) can beat a better team.

Basically, when someone says a team was "outplayed but won," I obviously know what they mean. I just don't agree with the phrase, much like I don't agree with the phrase "scoring chances." That's all.
- jmatchett383

What are your thoughts on high danger shot attempts?

What are your thoughts on high danger shot attempts?
- Feds91Stammer

Less of an issue.

What are your thoughts on high danger shot attempts?
- Feds91Stammer

I think this is where a lot of metrics need to head. Focus more on the quality of these metrics rather than the quantity.

I think this is where a lot of metrics need to head. Focus more on the quality of these metrics rather than the quantity.
- Rinosaur

I would bet that the analytic departments for various teams are already there. They wouldn't need to pay people money to stare at stuff you can find on corsica and make assessments. Any one of us can do that. I bet they pay people in their departments to conduct the manual labor of watching game after game after game and track these kinds of stats for specific players. Sounds brain numbing, but incredibly useful data to have for these organizations.

I would bet that the analytic departments for various teams are already there. They wouldn't need to pay people money to stare at stuff you can find on corsica and make assessments. Any one of us can do that. I bet they pay people in their departments to conduct the manual labor of watching game after game after game and track these kinds of stats for specific players. Sounds brain numbing, but incredibly useful data to have for these organizations.
- Victoro311

That is a lot of pressure.

That is a lot of pressure.
- Feds91Stammer

Oh F off

Oh F off
- Victoro311

hahah Took the words right out of my mouth...err...words right off my keyboard?

Oh F off
- Victoro311

If Malkin misses this series, Brassard has to make Sheary finish his chances. (Lol)

If we lose this series it is soley because of this blog title.

If we lose this series it is soley because of this blog title.
- pensfan024

He's referring to the time off...

He's referring to the time off...
- MattStrat

In hockey the Penguins get a bye week in the regular season and the second round of the playoffs.

When he started the next paragraph with "Jokes aside..." pretty sure sure he was talking (jokingly) about the Caps.

I really think the Pens have this. The Blue Jackets played a physical style and, aside from games 5 and 6, the Flyers didn't really put much of a bruising on Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has the extra day of rest, and I think they're actually better than last year.

Of course, Malkin is the wild card.

In hockey the Penguins get a bye week in the regular season and the second round of the playoffs.

When he started the next paragraph with "Jokes aside..." pretty sure sure he was talking (jokingly) about the Caps.

I really think the Pens have this. The Blue Jackets played a physical style and, aside from games 5 and 6, the Flyers didn't really put much of a bruising on Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has the extra day of rest, and I think they're actually better than last year.

Of course, Malkin is the wild card.
- jmatchett383

Im too superstitious to discuss such things : /

He's referring to the time off...
- MattStrat

im honestly not sure about that.

Im too superstitious to discuss such things : /
- MattStrat

the pens got this

Well, so much for resting up. Game 1 is on Thursday.