Comparing first 12 games of last season to this season.

[PromoTheRobot]

Record last season: 4-7-1, this season:  5-4-3

Goals scored: last 31, this: 37

Goals allowed: last: 36, this 38

Power play: last: 2-22, this: 8-40

Penalty kill: last: 75% this: 90.5%

Discuss.

[Mr Peabody]

Surprised we’ve allowed more goals as GT seems much improved.  Concerned that the PK % is not sustainable. PP improvement  is to be expected based on that abysmal prior year number.  
 

On ice plays seems much better even with all the injuries. Benson and Doan are early drivers for a culture change so hopefully we remain in the fight. 

[_Q_]

Team looks like it has more compete and more grit.

Would like to see what a healthy team looks like.

[inkman]

The team looks markedly better.  Ultimately, goaltending is going to make or break the season, as is the case with most NHL teams. 

[Pimlach]

I expected this years GA to be better than last year, even at this point in the season.  We won a few games because of goaltending.  

Anyone know GA(Expected) for the same time periods?  

[PromoTheRobot]

12 minutes ago, inkman said:

The team looks markedly better.  Ultimately, goaltending is going to make or break the season, as is the case with most NHL teams. 

Sv% 1st 12: last .883, this.903

Edited yesterday at 03:17 AM by PromoTheRobot

[Night Train]

Baby steps but slightly improved. Now finish off more close games. 

[PromoTheRobot]

22 minutes ago, Night Train said:

Baby steps but slightly improved. Now finish off more close games. 

What gave me the idea for this thread was the question how is goal scoring this year in light of losing JJ Peterka and no Josh Norris. From there I compared the other stats. The Goals Against numbers are odd being up slightly, but the biggest change is special teams. PP and PK are massively improved.

[PerreaultForever]

Some of the additions/changes have made a positive difference. So far there are still some of the previous players who haven't been dragged into the fight by the new guys but hopefully over time that will happen. 

Most people are talking about Doan for obvious reasons but biggest surprise to me is Timmons. I didn't think he was very good in Toronto and not much in Pittsburgh but he's been really solid and seems to fit their system perfectly. It's made a huge difference. 

[Sabres73]

In previous years a big issue was losing in regulation and not getting the loser point. This year the issue is not winning in OT and settling for the loser point. That alone is a pretty big improvement (putting aside the obvious need to get two points on a regular basis).

[Doohickie]

3 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

biggest surprise to me is Timmons. I didn't think he was very good in Toronto and not much in Pittsburgh but he's been really solid and seems to fit their system perfectly. It's made a huge difference. 

I don't think we've seen everything we will out of him yet.  So far I see him as glue to hold the unit together, and to clean up messes left by Power (and also to mentor Power).  I don't see him do much, but that also includes I don't see him making any defensive mistakes.  But Dunleavy keeps talking about how good his shot is.  I get the impression that while he learns Lindy's system and his teammates, he's not pushing the offense; he seems to be concentrating on D most of the time.  But I think as he settles in he'll try more shots on goal.