I finally figured out why Karlsson fans dont understand why Doughty is a better defenseman. Not a single one has played or even understands what a defenseman is supposed to do in situations. I almost feel bad having held them to an apparently unfairly high standard of understanding. It all makes sense now
It's not even just sens fans. It's MUCH of the east coast. They don't watch him, and without watching him, you can't see it. The stats don't do him justice; they
never do. The fact that he has so many standout stats this year just illustrates how much
better this year he is than usual. Like I said, the other night of the Ducks game was the perfect example--saves a goal, gets credited with a giveaway for it. Helps move the puck into the zone and helps set up the first scorign play, no point, just a plus. Saves another goal, gets credited with another giveaway. Breaks up the Ducks' empty net pressure with a great read to intercept a pass, and dumps it down PERFECTLY for no icing--doens't get a takeaway, instead gets ANOTHER giveaway.
Best player on the ice for both teams, but his final statline? +2, 0 points,
4 giveaways, 2 of which saved goals and one of which iced the game. Makes it real easy to spin a narrative if you don't see him. Also makes it easy to ignore his 70% CF% because others on the team had higher.
And I agree with you elsewhere, too; I've played a high enough level of hockey to understand defensive nuances particularly which is why so much of what I read is so, so maddening
Especially the play today in question, it wasn't a particularly BAD play in terms of IDEA--trying to be aggressive to stand up the play--but why leave a guy hung out to dry to try to make a risky pinchoff (and a subsequent oddman break) 5 minutes into a 0-0 game, why so risky?
