PWiz30
I love to hockey!
- Jan 3, 2013
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Is this better dman for that situation in the room with us now?Habs already have a better dman for that situation
Is this better dman for that situation in the room with us now?Habs already have a better dman for that situation
The odd thing is the original conceit of this thread wasn’t that Luke should be in the Norris race, on Team USA or even comparison to his brother or Makar. It was that he was quietly playing a strong defensive 5v5 game.*21 year old defenseman in their 2nd season averaging 19 minutes a night and most 5v5 minutes on one of the top teams in the league*
Random HFboards “expert”: he can’t be any good!!! He doesn’t play PP1 over a guy whose last full season finished with 74 points and 6th in Norris voting!!!”
He's also brought quite a bit to PP2 (as did casey when he was up).*21 year old defenseman in their 2nd season averaging 19 minutes a night and most 5v5 minutes on one of the top teams in the league*
Random HFboards “expert”: he can’t be any good!!! He doesn’t play PP1 over a guy whose last full season finished with 74 points and 6th in Norris voting!!!”
He's been the team's best defenseman in that span, and it hasn't been particularly close.Luke in the 9 games before Florida
- Down 1-5 in goals at 5v5
- Only 1 pt and it was a PP secondary assist
- 48.18% xG
- 1.97 xGF/60
Luke in the 16 games starting in Florida
- Up 13-5 in goals at 5v5
- 10 pts since. Only 2 are secondary assists and 8 of those pts are at 5v5
- 66.05% xG. That's 9th in the league overall and 1st among D
- 3.58 xGF/60. That's 6th in the league overall and 1st among D
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Pesce has been great with Hughes, but we have see more often Luke bail him out than the opposite.Haven't seen much of the Devils, but looking at the data sites (Hockeyviz, MoneyPuck) shows Hughes playing mostly with Pesce.
While Pesce doesn't put up numbers, he makes his partners better, significantly better, and has for quite a few years. It is not surprising that Hughes is playing his best hockey.
Haven't seen much of the Devils, but looking at the data sites (Hockeyviz, MoneyPuck) shows Hughes playing mostly with Pesce.
While Pesce doesn't put up numbers, he makes his partners better, significantly better, and has for quite a few years. It is not surprising that Hughes is playing his best hockey.
Pesce doesn't get a lot of "eye-test" love, so that is not surprising. But I remember quite a few posters saying Skjei was carrying Pesce the past two seasons. While the Preds are an unmitigated disaster, going from a consistent double-digit goal scorer to a 5-goal pace makes me think Skjei wasn't the one doing the heavy lifting.Pesce has been great with Hughes, but we have see more often Luke bail him out than the opposite.
People talk a lot about Jack and his mental connection with Bratt but they're starting to notice Luke and Pesce seem to have a lot of the same chemistry. Obviously it's more about defending than points for them but they've really gelled as a unit. This isn't Pesce improving Luke's defensive game, it's them being connected and playing as a duo.Haven't seen much of the Devils, but looking at the data sites (Hockeyviz, MoneyPuck) shows Hughes playing mostly with Pesce.
While Pesce doesn't put up numbers, he makes his partners better, significantly better, and has for quite a few years. It is not surprising that Hughes is playing his best hockey.
What's really surprised me is how often you see Luke being the one covering up for when Pesce decides to jump up, rather than the other way aroundPeople talk a lot about Jack and his mental connection with Bratt but they're starting to notice Luke and Pesce seem to have a lot of the same chemistry. Obviously it's more about defending than points for them but they've really gelled as a unit. This isn't Pesce improving Luke's defensive game, it's them being connected and playing as a duo.
I truly believe that them being injured at the same time was an amazing benefit for them, they rehabbed together and got to know each others tendencies. It certainly shows up when you watch them play.
This has been true for Pesce for much of his career, but he's noticeably lost a step in the last 1-2 years, and has been pretty mediocre defensively in the last 5-10 games. Luke has been carrying him pretty hard during that stretch.Haven't seen much of the Devils, but looking at the data sites (Hockeyviz, MoneyPuck) shows Hughes playing mostly with Pesce.
While Pesce doesn't put up numbers, he makes his partners better, significantly better, and has for quite a few years. It is not surprising that Hughes is playing his best hockey.
You don't need to do that. It's pointless!!Huge step forward but still 2 steps behind 5 x Norris winner Lane Hutson.
When they're out there together it's been tough for opponents to overcome the fact that Luke seems to have figured out how to use his speed and reach without taking penalties, and Pesce is a puck magnet.What's really surprised me is how often you see Luke being the one covering up for when Pesce decides to jump up, rather than the other way around
They played very passive their first games back but are both jumping into the rush more and more now. Someone must have reminded luke he's faster than all the other players
He never really took penalties last year either tho tbf.When they're out there together it's been tough for opponents to overcome the fact that Luke seems to have figured out how to use his speed and reach without taking penalties, and Pesce is a puck magnet.
Wasn't trying to imply he did, but a lot of times when players start using their stick more the penalties follow. Hasn't been the case with Luke.He never really took penalties last year either tho tbf.
But yeah he's been much more effective with his defense, rather than simply disciplined last year.
Habs already have a better dman for that situation