Oct 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella (6) blocks a shot in front of goalie Niklas Backstrom (32) during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-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, once again, the Chicago Blackhawks.
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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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WILD
BLACKHAWKS
LEAGUE POSITION
10th 9th
HOME RECORD
4-0-2 4-1-2
ROAD RECORD
2-3-1 2-1-1
PP%
26.0%5th20.0%13th
PK%
76.5%26th72.2%30th
-5v5 CLOSE-
WILD
BLACKHAWKS
GF%
69.2%4th68.0%5th
CF%
57.5%2nd59.9%1st
FF%
58.4%2nd60.4%1st
SF%
59.2%3rd59.8%2nd
Sh%
5.8%24th8.5%12th
Sv%
96.2%2nd94.1%8th
PDO
102.110th102.58th
(GF%=Goals For %, CF%=Corsi For %, FF%=Fenwick For %, SF%=Shots For Percentage, Sh%=
Shooting Percentage, Sv%=Save Percentage)
As these teams last met just two days ago, there hasn’t been any big change in their numbers. Both teams are possession beasts with good powerplays and bad penalty kills. The Wild are shooting with very little success but are getting great goaltending.
-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
BALLARD (67.7%)
STONER (65.7%)
PARISE (65.0%)
Wild CF% Worst 3
FONTAINE (49.6%)
SCANDELLA (50.0%)
BRODZIAK (50.3%)
Hawks CF% Top 3
KEITH (65.6%)
BICKELL (64.9%)
SEABROOK (63.3%)
Hawks CF% Worst 3
HANDZUS (55.0%)
LEDDY (55.8%)
SHARP (56.0%)
Wild FF% Top 3
BALLARD (71.1%)
STONER (69.6%)
KOIVU (66.4%)
Wild FF% Worst 3
HEATLEY (48.5%)
SCANDELLA (51.0%)
GRANLUND (51.1%)
Hawks FF% Top 3
SMITH (73.8%)
KEITH (66.3%)
BICKELL (65.7%)
Hawks FF% Worst 3
LEDDY (54.0%)
KRUGER (57.3%)
SHAW (57.4%)
Wild PDO Top 3
FONTAINE (114.8)
COOKE (113.5)
BRODZIAK (112.8)
Wild PDO Worst 3
VEILLEUX (90.9)
KONOPKA (93.3)
NIEDERREITER (94.2)
Hawks PDO Top 3
PIRRI (123.5)
BOLLIG (112.5)
NORDSTROM (111.1)
Hawks PDO Worst 3
KANE (91.6)
HANDZUS (93.7)
KEITH (97.3)
Pretty much all the same in terms of individual numbers. Heatley is the only Wild player with a Fenwick For below 50% and Fontaine is the only player with a Corsi For below 50%.
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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
Chicago Blackhawks
(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.
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*Numbers in this article courtesy of: