GDT: Another game is going on right now

[What the Faulk]

So winning a face-off can drive possession stats for the subsequent 17-37 seconds.

On average this will lead to about 1 extra minute of puck possession per game for a good face-off team.

Over a full season the good team gets an extra hour and a half of puck possession...how many extra goals do they score during that time...and how many extra wins does that yield...maybe 6 or 8 extra goals...1 or 2 extra wins...a few extra points in the standings.

You're making a couple leaps in the numbers I think, but I don't disagree with your point. Faceoffs matter (I overstated the last post a bit as I have a tendency to do), but certainly not to the extent that many believe. Besides, there's a whole bunch of variables to skew numbers. Better possession teams will have more offensive zone faceoffs. Better players will convert these wins into something tangible.

Plus, team faceoff percentage isn't highly variable anyway. Most fall between 55 and 45 percent in any given year.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

It might also depend on who's taking the faceoff.

A first line center, surrounded by first line talent, that wins the majority of their faceoffs is going to be more productive (over the course of a season) than a 4th line center, surrounded by 4th line talent, that wins the majority of their faceoffs.

It's why players like Brent, Malhotra, and McClement aren't as useful as the Canes seem to believe they are. Yeah, they might win more faceoffs, but unless they do something productive on the ensuing faceoff win, it doesn't mean much in the long run.

 

[Oenatzu]

I think that just about sums up Khudobin's season so far.

Or the Hurricanes' season as Cam has been the only thing holding the team together too lately.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Better possession teams will have more offensive zone faceoffs. Better players will convert these wins into something tangible.

It would be interesting to see a nitty-gritty analysis of possession time -> offensive faceoffs -> faceoff-win-to-goal conversion.

I can't imagine the numbers would be overwhelming, but I bet the trends are there.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

It would be interesting to see a nitty-gritty analysis of possession time -> offensive faceoffs -> faceoff-win-to-goal conversion.

I can't imagine the numbers would be overwhelming, but I bet the trends are there.

Well, sounds like you've come up with your project for the holidays.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Well, sounds like you've come up with your project for the holidays.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

Is that Mike Wilbon? My phone doesn't show gifs.