Crosby line set to feast on Ristolainen and the Sabres
March 21, 2017, 12:23 PM ET [169 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
The Penguins are back on the road again and this time it's a short little trip to Western New York to take on the Buffalo Sabres.
Pittsburgh is still battered with injuries, but at least they will be facing a team that isn't shy about giving up shot attempts. Buffalo currently ranks 26th in the NHL with how many shot attempts they allow at even strength. Their CA/60 is 58.5. Pittsburgh's CF/60 against all teams is 58.8. The Penguins shouldn't have trouble generating attempts, especially the Crosby line.
Are you sick and tired about hearing about the Sheary-Crosby-Guentzel line? Too bad. They're awesome. Jesse Marshall did some line comparisons for The Pens Blog and found some pretty impressive stuff about the line.
NEW PENSBLOG: The Crosby line is even better than you thought. In fact, it's the best line recent #Pens history.https://t.co/1AFHxxMgnS
— Jesse Marshall (@jmarshfof) March 21, 2017
Jesse made multiple comparisons to other Penguins lines in recent history as well as current lines from around the NHL. When compared to the other top possession lines in hockey this year the Sheary-Crosby-Guentzel line was the best in xGF/60, scoring chances for per 60, and goals for per 60. Generating offense is kind of their thing.
Probably not good news for Rasmus Ristolainen who is Buffalo's "top pairing" defender. Ristolainen is currently in a role that he cannot handle. He is a solid contributor on the power play, but his work at even-strength against the other teams top players has been low end. He has some of the worst underlying numbers in the entire NHL.
Buffalo fans don't want to hear it, but their defense corp. stinks and while it isn't completely Ristolainen's fault he is not helping the cause. He needs to be a middle pairing guy with power play time. You can't really dispute the evidence.
source: imgur.com
He is objectively drowning. Buffalo's biggest task moving forward will be improving their defense corp. so they aren't throwing players like Ristolainen to the wolves. He is out of his league.
Here is an unflattering heat map
source: imgur.com
On the left hand side are the shot attempts Buffalo gives up with Ristolainen on the ice. Red is bad. On the right hand side is how the team does when he's on the bench. The Crosby line should have some fun.
I remember last summer hearing some rumors about the Oilers being interested in Ristolainen before they moved Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson. Whoops.
Jack Eichel has been very good for the Sabres. Since returning to the lineup after a training camp injury he has been one of the better offensive players in the league. He's a good player at even-strength but he's a great player on the power play. If you want to take a chunk out of Eichel's effectiveness don't take penalties. Here is how Eichel ranks in 2016-17 with his 5v4 points per 60
source: imgur.com
He's the eighth best player in the league at generating offense with the man advantage. His effectiveness in this area reminds me of what a pain in the ass Claude Giroux was a few years back when he was producing on the power play at an elite rate and producing as a second line player at even-strength.
Evgeni Malkin did not make the trip to Buffalo. His run at the Hart, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard is now dead because of a meaningless blocked shot.
Derrick Pouliot was demoted. This one was deserved. He was bad in both games. What is weird is that Jim Rutherford talked about keeping Pouliot down with the Baby Penguins so he could develop some consistency as a player. Since those comments he has been called up and demoted twice. Nothing about the Pouliot situation has been consistent other than it has been inconsistent. The team has done a horrendous job with this player. There were two distinctive paths the team could have gone down which made sense and they chose neither
1. Commit to the player and let him play in the NHL for an extended period of time with a consistent partner.
2. Sell high if you are not willing to give the player a chance to succeed.
The team went with a third option. Tank the players' value and continue the yoyo him between the AHL and NHL. This is a case of poor asset management.
The latest demotion is more palatable considering it isn't for somebody like Steve Oleksey, Cameron Gaunce, David Warsofsky, Taylor Chorney, Chad Ruhwedel, or Rob Scuderi. Frankie Corrado was promoted and could make his Penguins debut tonight. He is 23 years old and in 41 NHL games the last two seasons he has a shot attempts for percentage of 54.4%. He's worth giving a look to because he is still an unknown whereas the other examples have a very predictable career path.
Marc-Andre Fleury had a splendid game on Sunday against the Florida Panthers earning his first shutout of the season. He has been excellent since the trade deadline. Matt Murray will be making the start tonight and he remains the team's starting goaltender.
March 21, 2017, 12:23 PM ET [169 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
The Penguins are back on the road again and this time it's a short little trip to Western New York to take on the Buffalo Sabres.
Pittsburgh is still battered with injuries, but at least they will be facing a team that isn't shy about giving up shot attempts. Buffalo currently ranks 26th in the NHL with how many shot attempts they allow at even strength. Their CA/60 is 58.5. Pittsburgh's CF/60 against all teams is 58.8. The Penguins shouldn't have trouble generating attempts, especially the Crosby line.
Are you sick and tired about hearing about the Sheary-Crosby-Guentzel line? Too bad. They're awesome. Jesse Marshall did some line comparisons for The Pens Blog and found some pretty impressive stuff about the line.
NEW PENSBLOG: The Crosby line is even better than you thought. In fact, it's the best line recent #Pens history.https://t.co/1AFHxxMgnS
— Jesse Marshall (@jmarshfof) March 21, 2017
Jesse made multiple comparisons to other Penguins lines in recent history as well as current lines from around the NHL. When compared to the other top possession lines in hockey this year the Sheary-Crosby-Guentzel line was the best in xGF/60, scoring chances for per 60, and goals for per 60. Generating offense is kind of their thing.
Probably not good news for Rasmus Ristolainen who is Buffalo's "top pairing" defender. Ristolainen is currently in a role that he cannot handle. He is a solid contributor on the power play, but his work at even-strength against the other teams top players has been low end. He has some of the worst underlying numbers in the entire NHL.
Buffalo fans don't want to hear it, but their defense corp. stinks and while it isn't completely Ristolainen's fault he is not helping the cause. He needs to be a middle pairing guy with power play time. You can't really dispute the evidence.
source: imgur.com
He is objectively drowning. Buffalo's biggest task moving forward will be improving their defense corp. so they aren't throwing players like Ristolainen to the wolves. He is out of his league.
Here is an unflattering heat map
source: imgur.com
On the left hand side are the shot attempts Buffalo gives up with Ristolainen on the ice. Red is bad. On the right hand side is how the team does when he's on the bench. The Crosby line should have some fun.
I remember last summer hearing some rumors about the Oilers being interested in Ristolainen before they moved Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson. Whoops.
Jack Eichel has been very good for the Sabres. Since returning to the lineup after a training camp injury he has been one of the better offensive players in the league. He's a good player at even-strength but he's a great player on the power play. If you want to take a chunk out of Eichel's effectiveness don't take penalties. Here is how Eichel ranks in 2016-17 with his 5v4 points per 60
source: imgur.com
He's the eighth best player in the league at generating offense with the man advantage. His effectiveness in this area reminds me of what a pain in the ass Claude Giroux was a few years back when he was producing on the power play at an elite rate and producing as a second line player at even-strength.
Evgeni Malkin did not make the trip to Buffalo. His run at the Hart, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard is now dead because of a meaningless blocked shot.
Derrick Pouliot was demoted. This one was deserved. He was bad in both games. What is weird is that Jim Rutherford talked about keeping Pouliot down with the Baby Penguins so he could develop some consistency as a player. Since those comments he has been called up and demoted twice. Nothing about the Pouliot situation has been consistent other than it has been inconsistent. The team has done a horrendous job with this player. There were two distinctive paths the team could have gone down which made sense and they chose neither
1. Commit to the player and let him play in the NHL for an extended period of time with a consistent partner.
2. Sell high if you are not willing to give the player a chance to succeed.
The team went with a third option. Tank the players' value and continue the yoyo him between the AHL and NHL. This is a case of poor asset management.
The latest demotion is more palatable considering it isn't for somebody like Steve Oleksey, Cameron Gaunce, David Warsofsky, Taylor Chorney, Chad Ruhwedel, or Rob Scuderi. Frankie Corrado was promoted and could make his Penguins debut tonight. He is 23 years old and in 41 NHL games the last two seasons he has a shot attempts for percentage of 54.4%. He's worth giving a look to because he is still an unknown whereas the other examples have a very predictable career path.
Marc-Andre Fleury had a splendid game on Sunday against the Florida Panthers earning his first shutout of the season. He has been excellent since the trade deadline. Matt Murray will be making the start tonight and he remains the team's starting goaltender.
Yesterday at 3:32 pm by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil sponsors the signing of an agreement to develop the Tuba oil field project with
Yesterday at 3:26 pm by Rocky
» In numbers... Basra Oil explains the importance of the Tuba field after signing a contract to develo
Yesterday at 3:25 pm by Rocky
» Electricity: The government provides energy at subsidized prices for (4) categories
Yesterday at 3:24 pm by Rocky
» The electricity produced in Iraq covers 65% of demand... and 15 thousand megawatts is a “deficit”
Yesterday at 3:22 pm by Rocky
» Parliamentary services: Government interest in Baghdad will make it one of the most beautiful capita
Yesterday at 3:21 pm by Rocky
» Basra Council emphasizes work to qualify young people and place them in the labor market
Yesterday at 3:19 pm by Rocky
» Politician: Al-Kadhimi was recommending that Plasschaert write “negative” reports about Iraq
Yesterday at 3:17 pm by Rocky
» Trade launches operations to lift the ban on the ration card next to Rusafa
Yesterday at 3:16 pm by Rocky
» utube 5/12/24 Iraqi Dinar | Citi Bank Announced New Rate Of The Iraqi Dinar | Dinar News Today 202
Yesterday at 7:00 am by Rocky
» utube 5/9/24 MM&C 0:02 / 46:46 PM - Al-Sudani - Golden Opportunity - Private Sector - Contra
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 5/11/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - International - IraqTiming - 2024 Budget Schedule - Sp
Yesterday at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Bahr Al-Ulum calls for legislating the renewable energy law and localizing the solar panel industry
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» In numbers: the rise in internal debt in Iraq
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Jordan demands that Iraq continue to export oil for another three months
Yesterday at 6:46 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the largest producer.. OPEC+ is pumping higher than scheduled and in anticipation of the Jun
Yesterday at 6:44 am by Rocky
» Close to the coordination framework: There is no intention to change the internal regulations of Par
Yesterday at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Central Bank sales exceed $274 million today
Yesterday at 6:41 am by Rocky
» But the representative of the exchange companies is pessimistic... Why did the dollar fall?... The C
Yesterday at 6:38 am by Rocky
» Jordan addresses Iraq to extend a memorandum of understanding to purchase oil
Yesterday at 6:36 am by Rocky
» Bribes increased from 3,000 to 50,000 dollars.. What is the condition of alcohol in Iraq after the p
Yesterday at 6:34 am by Rocky
» Presence movement: Sunnis and Kurds while the Americans remain in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» A deputy reveals the contents of the first water strategy in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Soon...the second reading of the proposed red card law
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» The discovery of 10 new oil and gas fields in the Anbar desert
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» A bloc announces to “Al-Ma’louma” the date of the parliamentary speaker’s election session
Yesterday at 5:26 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance explains the mechanism for amending the retirement law
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» Sovereignty accuses Al-Halbousi of obstructing the election of a Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Agriculture accuses Kurdistan of harming the farmers of the center and south
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani confirms Iraq's readiness to host the Arab Network conference
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani calls on the Iraqi government to allocate a budget to confront climate change
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» “Iraq is in danger.” Political warnings against ending the work of the UN mission
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Interior Minister announces the signing of a security cooperation memorandum with Syria
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil told “Al-Iqtisad News”: The 5th and 6th rounds will add 3 Mqmq of gas to Iraq’s
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Economist: Tax revenues from the private sector should be 4 trillion dinars annually
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» The Real Estate Bank calls on the Iraqi Central Bank to determine a plan to allocate a new initiativ
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» More than one billion and 400 million dollars...CBI sales within a week
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Oil: Iraq achieved self-sufficiency in liquid gas and began exporting the surplus
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Iraq begins exporting liquid gas
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» The Cabinet Secretariat sets to Al-Iqtisad News the completion date for the Chinese agreement school
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Securities: The most recent law of the Authority in the Arab and regional countries
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» A European desire to strengthen security and economic cooperation with Baghdad
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» The close selection of a person for the position of Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary law excludes the exchange of penalties for cash amounts
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» An agreement with Italy to finance industrial projects
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» The Najaf Chamber of Commerce signs a “memorandum of understanding” with its Thai counterpart
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Baghdad, Arab Forum
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Specialists: Economic integration and job opportunities await development
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic, Nechirvan and Barzani stress the necessity of coordinating efforts be
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» The Judicial Institute announces the names of those accepted for the 48th and 49th sessions
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Today's newspapers are interested in launching the fifth licensing supplement rounds and the sixth l
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives the Secretary-General of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Trade participates in the meetings of the Economic and Social Council at the level of senior officia
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Transport discusses with the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration wa
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq recorded an increase in its oil exports to the United States last week
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» It is governed by three dimensions.. Parliament talks about a strategic priority for Iraqi national
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» To what extent do Arab countries influence politically Iraq? It has become more independent
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: Iraq has paid its debts, and the security agreement includes thre
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rates decline slightly on the Baghdad Stock Exchange
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» China has 18% of the fields in the two new rounds, and 11 countries share the remainder
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» On the table...a proposal for the Kurdistan oil crisis and an effort to conclude a similar agreement
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: A government decision to provide sovereign guarantees and guarantees to encourage the inve
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» 6 Chinese companies are among the winners of developing Iraqi oil and gas fields
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Baghdad gives UNAMI the end of 2025 to leave the country after fiery briefings
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Dhi Qar clarifies: The quarry burying radioactive materials is regular and does not pose a danger
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: There are 64 lagging projects in Babylon
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» The housing crisis is expanding and planning confirms: Iraq needs 3 million housing units to solve i
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» 90 billion dinars were recovered from social protection violators
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Iraq seeks to increase its oil reserves to more than 160 billion barrels
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» After keeping the numbers secret... Did the rain increase Iraq's water reserves by 120%?
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» In the first quarter of 2024.. Iran will displace Iraq and become the second largest producer in OPE
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil exports to Jordan stopped 20 days ago
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Iraq and Syria sign a memorandum of security cooperation in several fields
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Parliament recommends stopping electronic schools in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary law rules out passing a law replacing penalties with sums of money
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» After a rare meeting... sources talk about Al-Sadr's future in political life in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic warns of climate change and its threat to food security and future gen
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador to Iraq talks about negotiations for the withdrawal of American forces and Tu
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq represents an important factor in the stability of the global oil market
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Transportation: The Iraqi-Turkish technical committees continue to fulfill the requirements for impl
Yesterday at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Economic: Raising the interest rate will reduce real estate prices
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:20 am by Rocky
» Did Barzani agree in Tehran to end the presence of Iranian groups in Kurdistan? - urgent
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We are establishing a new situation for the global energy market through the Development
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:14 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government program devoted a wide scope to the government’s vision for oil and gas in
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:11 am by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: Ending the work of the UNAMI mission is consistent with the government’s vision in this fi
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:10 am by Rocky
» MM&C Floating the dinar" returns to the forefront.. Will the Central Bank of Iraq resort to it and w
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:24 am by Rocky
» The Secretary of the Ministry of Defense meets with the Commander of the NATO mission
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:17 am by Rocky
» Expert: The stability of the economy is linked to the political situation
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:13 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary request to lift the injustice against 20,000 Iraqi employees
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:09 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance criticizes the government's failure to send the budget schedules
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:08 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: The 5th and 6th licensing rounds will take place within the framework of exploratio
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the global market in the field of energy
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Khanjar rejects Al-Halbousi’s request to head Parliament
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:05 am by Rocky
» Revealing the date of the arrival of the 2024 budget schedules
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Halbousi nominates Talal Al-Zubaie for presidency of the House of Representatives
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:03 am by Rocky
» "A coup in Iraqi universities"... Replacement of presidents and deans under the new education law
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the equation of energy and oil wealth in the region and the
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: We hope to announce an increase in Iraq’s oil reserves to 160 billion barrels
Sat 11 May 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» Iraq's mass graves...stories that did not end with the burial of their owners, and the "legacy of IS
Sat 11 May 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky