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A few notes from New Jersey vs Dallas:
1) The Devils defended well. They conceded just 22 Grade B chances at 5v5, the second lowest total since the turn of the calendar. I know the Stars aren’t an offensive powerhouse but I was surprised the Devils managed to do such a number on them.
It felt like Tyler Seguin was the only Stars player who really threatened. He had eight attempts, five of which hit the net, at 5v5 and created a couple of chances for his linemates. Nobody else was overly dangerous. I mean, Joel Kiviranta and Andrew Cogliano were the only other forwards with multiple shots at full-strength. Roman Polak led Dallas’ defense in 5v5 shots.
The volume was attached to players you don’t really worry about and, for the most part, the shots were also taken from very low percentage areas of the ice. If they could put together that kind of effort more often they wouldn’t be sitting 29th right now.
2) Nico is a gamer. I honestly think I fall more in love with Hischier each time he takes the ice. We’ve gotten to the point where every contest he shows us another trait that’s going to help him develop into the superstar he was drafted to be.
Hischier was on the wrong end of some big hits/rather nasty collisions. He was very clearly bothered by at least a couple of them, yet continued to fight through the pain and play. Hischier went on to score the game-tying goal in the 3rd period and seemed to give the team a much-needed spark offensively.
I don’t know what Hischier was dealing with but, given where the Devils are at, it would have been easy to sit the rest of the game out. Hischier wanted to get back out there and help his teammates in the fight; and he did. That kind of thing is why he’s going to be the next captain.
3) Sami Vatanen once again spent a lot of time chasing play in the defensive zone. Dallas held a 19-7 shot attempt advantage (26.92 CF%) and out-chanced New Jersey 11-6 with Vatanen on the ice, resulting in a 36.30 Expected Goals For%. Connor Carrick was the only defenseman on either side to finish with a worse xGF%.
I’m not trying to pick on Vatanen. It just feels like his play has really fallen off of late, and the numbers bear that out.
Since January 1st, the Devils have scored just three times in nearly 200 minutes with Vatanen on the ice. Here is how the Devils have fared in several key categories during that time:
Goals –– 12-3 OPP (20 GF%)
Chances –– 113-78 OPP (40.84 SCF%)
Expected Goals –– 8.52 - 6.57 OPP (43.55 xGF%)
Nobody has garnered worse results in the goal department and only Mirco Mueller and Andy Greene (barely) have been beaten up worse in terms of chances.
Vatanen sure isn’t picking the right time for his game to drop off.
4) OK, I can only write so much about that snoozer of the game. I’m sure you’re all dying for my Super Bowl predictions so here we go.
I like the Chiefs. I’m on the Chiefs. I think they’re going to pull through in a pretty close affair. Let’s go with 27-20. Patrick Mahomes SB MVP. Damian Williams is going to carry the ball ~15 times and hit the over of 50/51 on his rushing prop.
You’re all welcome. Enjoy the game!
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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