The Numbers Game: Nashville Predators Edition
By Ger Devine
Oct 8, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Eric Nystrom (24) collides with Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom (32) after being slashed resulting in a penalty shot for Nashville and injuring Backstrom during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Strasinger-USA TODAY Sports
In a new feature that I’ll be running here on Gone Puck Wild throughout the season, before each game, I will be analysing the underlying numbers for both the Wild and their next opponent to see how they match-up. Tonight’s opponent is the Nashville Predators
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-Here are the underlying numbers for both teams so far this year at 5v5 Close, along with some general statistics:
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LEAGUE POSITION
18th 11th
HOME RECORD
2-0-2 3-3-1
ROAD RECORD
1-3-1 2-2-0
PP%
26.3%4th16.1%18th
PK%
73.0%29th81.8%14th
-5v5 CLOSE-
WILD
PREDATORS
GF%
55.6%12th42.1%21st
CF%
59.7%1st51.5%12th
FF%
59.6%2nd52.8%11th
SF%
60.5%1st51.6%12th
Sh%
4.3%29th5.6%25th
Sv%
94.7%7th91.8%15th
PDO
99.019th97.424th
(GF%=Goals For %, CF%=Corsi For %, FF%=Fenwick For %, SF%=Shots For Percentage, Sh%=
Shooting Percentage, Sv%=Save Percentage)
This should be a good match-up of teams with solid puck possession numbers but poor Sh%. Goaltending and special teams will be crucial to the outcome.
-Here are the Best 3 and Worst 3 players for each team in various statistical categories. This only counts players who have played 50% of their team’s games so far:
| 5v5 CLOSE | PLAYER #1 |
PLAYER #2
PLAYER #3
Wild CF% Top 3
STONER (70.3%)
BALLARD (67.7%)
PARISE (65.2%)
Wild CF% Worst 3
FONTAINE (52.6%)
BRODIN (52.2%)
SCANDELLA (54.0%)
Preds CF% Top 3
BOURQUE (62.9%)
ELLIS (56.8%)
BARTLEY (56.2%)
Preds CF% Worst 3
EKHOLM (43.2%)
SPALING (43.8%)
HENDRICKS (45.6%)
Wild FF% Top 3
BALLARD (71.1%)
STONER (68.6%)
MITCHELL (65.1%)
Wild FF% Worst 3
GRANLUND (50.8%)
FONTAINE (50.8%)
BRODIN (51.4%)
Preds FF% Top 3
BOURQUE (62.5%)
SMITH (61.9%)
HORNQVIST (60.5%)
Preds FF% Worst 3
EKHOLM (43.5%)
SPALING (44.7%)
HENDRICKS (44.9%)
Wild PDO Top 3
FONTAINE (115.8)
COOKE (112.6)
BRODZIAK (112.0)
Wild PDO Worst 3
VEILLEUX (75.0)
KONOPKA (90.0)
NIEDERREITER (90.0)
Preds PDO Top 3
ELLIS (107.5)
SMITH (107.4)
BOURQUE (106.1)
Preds PDO Worst 3
FORSBERG (83.3)
KLEIN (88.9)
STALBERG (89.5)
The Wild’s “worst” Corsi player (Fontaine) is at 52.6%, which is excellent. That speaks to how great this team is playing.
Bourque looks like he is tilting the ice for the Preds, Ekholm appears to be tilting it in the opposition’s favour.
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-Here are the Player Usage Charts for both teams to illustrate which players are getting tough minutes and which players are being sheltered:
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
(Click To Enlarge) (Bubble Size=Corsi On Rating. Blue Bubble=Postive. Red Bubble=Negative)
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Okay, that’s all from me. Make sure you check-out Scott’s official Gone Puck Wild Game Preview before puck-drop where you’ll get his insight along with all the information you need about the game.
Follow me on Twitter for more hockey views/analysis.
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*Numbers in this article courtesy of: