pi2000

FOW%

Go to https://www.naturalstattrick.com/ and pick date ranges to see for yourself. Ralph was fired March 17. They're generating 2 more shots per 60min (at ES) than they did under Ralph.... but shooting % is way up from 5.92% to almost 12%. Let's break that down a bit... Under Ralph they generated about 26 shots/60 (at ES) w/ a 5.92% shooting percentage.... that's about 1.5 goals/60 (at ES). Under Don, the past 10 games, they generated about 29 shots/60 (at ES) w/ an 11.72% shooting percentage.... that's 3.4 goals/60 (at ES). Their save percentage (at ES) increased from 89% to 92%, and even tho they're giving up more shots, they're allowing fewer goals/60 (at ES). Ralph, 30 shots allowed/60, 88.98% save percentage = 3.3 goals allowed/60 (at ES). Don (last 10 games), 35 shots allowed/60, 92.18% save percentage = 2.7 goals allowed/60 (at ES). So yeah, they're winning, but it's not because they're giving up fewer shots, fewer high danger chances, or playing better in their own end. It's because of better goaltending and better shooting percentage.

Small sample size ✌️ Simply scoring goals doesn't make you a competent center.

I've talked ad nauseam about not just his liability at the faceoff dot, his inability to defend (poor plus/minus), inability to be a setup guy (low assist rate), weak on his skates, etc... There's an entire laundry list of reasons he shouldn't play center. That said, I'm ok with him on the wing, so long as the center can cover his weaknesses, and he signs a reasonable deal for a 20g goal guy who doesn't do much else.

please explain the moving goalposts, because apparently I'm too dense. Possession matters, faceoffs dictate possession. A faceoff win is defined by the team who gains possession. You want Sam taking a faceoff in OT? In the d-zone? Late in a tight game? Hell to the naw. So let me ask everybody this, what statistical evidence do you have that proves Sam is a great center... or a better center than winger.

lol, that's all you can say. The Sam apologists claim he's a great center. I show stats that he's not. And I'm the troll? smh

Their possession numbers CF% are down significantly, ranking near bottom of the league the past 10 games, also giving up a lot of high danger chances, more than under Ralph. They're winning because their high danger save % and high danger shooting % are near the top of the league. So yeah, they're giving up more defensively, but shooting at a high % and getting superb goaltending. That's nice, but not really sustainable over an entire season IMO. They need to cut down on scoring chances against.

If he's gone I certainly won't miss his 38% FOW, career -92, sluggish feet, and pissy post game attitude. Again, if he's not scoring he's a liability. For a guy who supposedly has great vision and setup skills, his numbers don't tell the same story. 159 assists in 443 games... thats 1 assist every 3 games.... playing mostly with one of the top snippers in the game you'd expect more.

lol, he took 8 of 61 faceoffs. As a team they won 54%, and for that reason, and that reason alone, they won... because faceoffs matter 😛

Ralph Donny last 10 games (league ranking in parens) CF% 48.87(18) 43.90(28) SF% 47.27(28) 44.83(26) xGF/60 2.09(29) 2.41(13) xGA/60 2.59(29) 2.72(25) HDCF/60 10.04(17) 10.68(12) HDCA/60 10.40(20) 11.29(21) SH% 5.92(31) 11.72(2) HDSH% 12.14(31) 21.13(7) SV% 88.98(30) 92.56(8) HDSV% 80.40(22) 89.47(6)

I don't know that's the reason. If it's not I've lost even more respect for Sam. He was a douche in the post game... admit it. The team is playing well, he buries a couple, and brings that ***** attitude to the presser? What a loser.... at least be happy for the team, mention the guys who helped you score, give them some credit, mention what a great job Donny has done, etc.... instead of coming off as an entitled little prick still butt hurt about what some reporter said about you months ago. Selfish.

His plus/minus was zero, and he lost 6 of 8 faceoffs. The goals were nice and I didn't notice him sweeping the ice with his backside as much as usual, so ya he's a great center, give him all the money... smh.

haha what? I don't shut people out because they criticized me over a year ago. I'm a big boy, I can handle criticism, Sam obviously cannot. He's not a guy I'd enjoy coaching, god forbid you look at him the wrong way, he might shut you out.

Haha, I'm not rattled one bit. Just wish he wasn't so mentally fragile that he has to hold a grudge against a reporter who asked a legitimate question over a year ago about his lack of effort a day after Sam himself called out his teammates effort.

If he's too mentally weak to handle a reporter asking a valid question, then honestly... I don't want him around.

They're still largely a mess in their own end. If he can clean that up them I'm all for keeping him around. If not, then you need to bring in somebody who can coach both ends of the ice. Believe it or not, there are other coaches who believe in high pace, physically challenging practices who let players play to their strengths AND can coach them up in the d-zone.

Sam, 2 for 8 on faceoffs, even plus/minus... (he's a minus 1 over the past 10 games). His goals were nice shots from distance, very out of character for him. He's not getting any better at faceoffs. He came off as a douche in the post game. That said I believe he's best deployed on the wing. I don't necessarily want to see him traded, but I'm.not sure he's a fit for what KA us trying to build (guys with quickness, speed and very high motors).

Hall and Staal were huge drags on the team. Okposo is too, he tries hard, but he's slow and looses every race. This is probably the fastest team we've had in Buffalo in years. Best I've seen their transition game in a long time. Ullmark coming back helped and now Tokarski is playing well.

At the time of the pick I wanted Zegras or Caufield. Zegras reminds me of a young Jason Spezza. Skill for days, creative, unlimited upside. Caufield not just because of his shot, but because he simply has a knack for scoring. Guys like him only come around once every 7 or 8 years and what he has can't be taught. Cozens is already a hell of a player tho and happy we have him.

The young guns are being allowed to stretch their wings... that's great. They look excellent, I'm all for whatever he's doing with them, they're 1000% more fun to watch and with above average goaltending they're winning some games. That's all fantastic.... but let's not kid ourselves. They're catching teams off-guard right now, but once that wears off, and teams start actually game-planning for their attacking style, they're going to have to adjust... even focus on playing a more defensive game at times depending on the matchup. Can Donny adjust and stay ahead of the curve? I don't know, maybe, maybe not... that's why you have to continue to seriously evaluate your options at the HC position, especially when there are proven veterans available.

Put Toronto in Holiday Twin Rinks... or Caz Park.

Casey is playing for a contract. Does he go back to his tabacco fueled late night Fortnite sessions once he gets paid?

He should be a head coach..... in Rochester. They're playing fast, free and loose. But in a 7 game series vs Barry Trotz they get smoked. They need a HC who can continue to generate offense, but also shore up the defensive side of the puck.... not an easy thing to do. There's an old saying in Tennessee.... Do better.

3 https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/2013_games.html

I didn't say that, smh. Sure they played a great game, took advantage of a sluggish Caps squad. I loved how they played. But, lets be honest, the Caps are the cream of the crop in the Mass Mutual East Division, they simply didn't show up tonight.