This is becoming a deadhorse topic. I wish the NHL would change this stat (hits) because it does not depict team defense or grit. You want to be tough to play against. That does not necessary mean high hits. Forechecking and backchecking are much more important. Taking away time and space is much more important. 2nd and 3rd effort when you turn a puck over is much more important.
These are the areas we lack in.
- lulags

What you said is is how I would describe a game of pickup hockey.
And that's why scoring is up.. especially against the Sabres. I played competitively from a young age into my 20's. Guys I played against then, where the final score was 2-1 to where now after an hour it's 10-8... the difference: playing the body. That's how you shut down these supremely talented players... McDavid for example. Last year Bryson shut him down in Buffalo by... playing the body.

My game for example is a high speed playmaking game. I love it when people think they can mitigate my role by backcheck/forecheck "stick work". As someone who has played that top line skilled forward role, it was hitting/playing the body that was the most effective strategy that lessened my impact in the game.

I still play. And play against old school hockey guys and guys who are either in college/ non NHL pro leagues. The younger guys are simply easier to play against. All you need is speed. The older guys.. you need to be more than a one dimensional player.

What you said is is how I would describe a game of pickup hockey.
And that's why scoring is up.. especially against the Sabres. I played competitively from a young age into my 20's. Guys I played against then, where the final score was 2-1 to where now after an hour it's 10-8... the difference: playing the body. That's how you shut down these supremely talented players... McDavid for example. Last year Bryson shut him down in Buffalo by... playing the body.

My game for example is a high speed playmaking game. I love it when people think they can mitigate my role by backcheck/forecheck "stick work". As someone who has played that top line skilled forward role, it was hitting/playing the body that was the most effective strategy that lessened my impact in the game.

I still play. And play against old school hockey guys and guys who are either in college/ non NHL pro leagues. The younger guys are simply easier to play against. All you need is speed. The older guys.. you need to be more than a one dimensional player.
- JYD

Yes, hitting is not irrelevant, a gritty team will forecheck like mad dogs, the opposing d will get tired of being hit. A gritty team will also put guys in front of their goalie on their ass instead of just fishing for the puck.

This is becoming a deadhorse topic. I wish the NHL would change this stat (hits) because it does not depict team defense or grit. You want to be tough to play against. That does not necessary mean high hits. Forechecking and backchecking are much more important. Taking away time and space is much more important. 2nd and 3rd effort when you turn a puck over is much more important.
These are the areas we lack in.
- lulags

Good Post lulags!!

Yes, hitting is not irrelevant, a gritty team will forecheck like mad dogs, the opposing d will get tired of being hit. A gritty team will also put guys in front of their goalie on their ass instead of just fishing for the puck.
- Ratsreign

A view of hits in the NHL last night:

CGY - 46
TBL - 34 WON

ANA - 9
WPG - 17 WON

COL - 28 WON
CAR - 18

NYI - 37
NSH - 18 WON

DAL - 14 WON
FLA - 30

PIT - 25 WON
MIN - 29

MTL - 8
CBJ - 18 WON

WAS - 17
STL -14 WON

NJD - 30 WON
TOR - 23

ARI - 31
VGK - 25 WON

BOS - 22 WON
PHI - 26

NYR - 24
SEA - 22 WON

DET - 24 WON
SJS - 15

The Buffalo Sabres average 12.5 a game. Of the 26 teams playing last night, 24 outhit the Sabre average. 11 doubled the Sabres average. 16 were 50% higher than the Sabre average.
- lacaprup

Team with more hits won 5 games last night
Team with less hits won 8 games
Hmmmmmm

Team with more hits won 5 games last night
Team with less hits won 8 games
Hmmmmmm
- jdfitz77

LoL, I guess I should have went back and added the final line which I omitted;
You can’t judge the effectiveness of physical play by simply counting the number of hits per team. It’s a pretty useless stat

Team with more hits won 5 games last night
Team with less hits won 8 games
Hmmmmmm
- jdfitz77

Every team that won had more hits than Buffalo does on avg.

No ones asking to have the most hits every night, just take the body, finish a check, stop leaving guys out front alone

Yes, hitting is not irrelevant, a gritty team will forecheck like mad dogs, the opposing d will get tired of being hit. A gritty team will also put guys in front of their goalie on their ass instead of just fishing for the puck.
- Ratsreign

Aside from hits = wins.....

Hits = entertainment, especially when your at the games live. Pumps up the crowd and gets the team going as well.

Gritty teams are fun to watch

LoL, I guess I should have went back and added the final line which I omitted;
You can’t judge the effectiveness of physical play by simply counting the number of hits per team. It’s a pretty useless stat
- Ratsreign

I agree
But I’m not the “dummy” who brought up “hits”

Aside from hits = wins.....

Hits = entertainment, especially when your at the games live. Pumps up the crowd and gets the team going as well.

Gritty teams are fun to watch
- Boss34

Hits have nothing to do with wins

Team with more hits won 5 games last night
Team with less hits won 8 games
Hmmmmmm
- jdfitz77

We all saw this earlier, and it really doesn't matter for the Sabres. Cause they don't hit, 3/4 of the team doesn't know what a forecheck is and are D definitely doesn't clear the net. Sabres don't make it hard on anyone other than there own goalie's.

Every team that won had more hits than Buffalo does on avg.

No ones asking to have the most hits every night, just take the body, finish a check, stop leaving guys out front alone
- DirtyDan

There literally no stat that says more hits equals more wins though

Hits have nothing to do with wins
- jdfitz77

Sure they can, I have seen a player make a hit and take the puck away that leads to a winning goal.

We all saw this earlier, and it really doesn't matter for the Sabres. Cause they don't hit, 3/4 of the team doesn't know what a forecheck is and are D definitely doesn't clear the net. Sabres don't make it hard on anyone other than there own goalie's.
- Buff36

Idk what to tell ya?
People here keep acting like hits matter so much
Boss literally just posted “hits = wins”

It’s just not true though

Hits have nothing to do with wins
- jdfitz77

But, they do....

While simply having a high number of hits doesn’t mean jack, hits do have something to do with winning a hockey game.

Sure they can, I have seen a player make a hit and take the puck away that leads to a winning goal.
- Buff36

And I’ve seen a player steal the puck without making a hit & score the game winning goal

Hits don’t equal wins,
and there’s no stat that says they do

But, they do....

While simply having a high number of hits doesn’t mean jack, hits do have something to do with winning a hockey game.
- Ratsreign

I don't believe you! You told me Girgensons Mustache could be used as a bumper guard, it didn't work.

But, they do....

While simply having a high number of hits doesn’t mean jack, hits do have something to do with winning a hockey game.
- Ratsreign

Not necessarily
Sometimes the team with more hits wins
Sometimes they lose

Hits don’t have any measurable correlation to winning though

Idk what to tell ya?
People here keep acting like hits matter so much
Boss literally just posted “hits = wins”

It’s just not true though
- jdfitz77

You really need to read more and post less.

You're either trolling or I genuinely think you are handicap cause he didnt say that.

He said "aside from hits=wins"

And I’ve seen a player steal the puck without making a hit & score the game winning goal

Hots don’t equal wins,
and there’s no stat that says they do
- jdfitz77

What are you talking about. If someone makes a hit and then the team scores the winning goal. Didn't that hit have something to do with that win?

What are you talking about. If someone makes a hit and then the team scores the winning goal. Didn't that hit have something to do with that win?
- Buff36

He's actually retreaded

Team with more hits won 5 games last night
Team with less hits won 8 games
Hmmmmmm
- jdfitz77

causation does not equal correlation

Your point is as valid as increasing ice cream sales causes more shark attacks.

What are you talking about. If someone makes a hit and then the team scores the winning goal. Didn't that hit have something to do with that win?
- Buff36

For that individual play, sure
But in general, teams that hit more don’t always win more
There’s no correlation

This isn’t rocket science guys

I don't believe you! You told me Girgensons Mustache could be used as a bumper guard, it didn't work.
- Buff36

LoL, I wasn’t watching the game to see for myself when you said he needed to shave. I thought you were talking about a beard, not a mustache

He's actually retreaded
- DirtyDan

It's the Multi-Verse

causation does not equal correlation

Your point is as valid as increasing ice cream sales causes more shark attacks.
- JYD

And more hits leading to wins just isn’t a valid statement either