Why I like Chicago for this thing

by Hawerchuk on May 28, 2010 7:54 PM EDT

Exhibit A: 5v5 Shot % = SF/(SF+SA) for the last three seasons (the NHL started offering us this data just three years ago...hard to believe...)

Rank	TEAM	Year	5v5 Shot%
1	DET	2008	58.57
2	CHI	2010	58.04
3	DET	2009	56.22
4	S.J	2008	54.83
5	NYR	2008	54.77
6	CHI	2009	54.53
7	WSH	2009	54.44
8	S.J	2009	54.40
9	WSH	2008	54.36
10	CGY	2009	53.27

Precisely three teams have been 2+ standard deviations above the mean in this category: 2007-08 Detroit, 2008-09 Detroit and this year's Hawks. Last year's Pens team - once they installed Dan Bylsma behind the bench - was also right up there.

Teams that can achieve this level of performance quite literally will make it to the Stanley Cup finals. Philadelphia, while not a bad team, simply isn't in this realm. Nothing's guaranteed in sports, but Chicago is one of the safest bets you can make.

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Last year’s Pens team – once they got Sergei Gonchar back from a season-long injury

Just a thought.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Jun 6, 2010 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

Riiiight

Bylsma was the biggest factor. Adding two first line wingers also had a significant role. Bringing back Gonchar and his shoddy defensive zone coverage and marginal even strength offensive play back? Not so much.

by verduci on Jun 15, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions