There are several truths about hockey. One, if you win a
high percentage of face-offs, it generally isn't discussed. two, if you lose a
high percentage, it is dismissed as meaningless by most hockey people. So what
happens when your #1 center wins 5% of his draws and your #3 center wins 15%?
Answer - you chase the puck all night. Not helping matters was Jim Slater
posting a 36% number, in fact the only center that kept his head above water
was rookie Mark Scheifele who ended the night winning 60% of his face-offs, a
great total.
How bad was it? Olli Jokinen went 2 for 13. 0 for 3 in the
defensive zone which is the most damning and 1 for 6 in the offensive zone. Bryan
Little was worse, 1 for 20. His lone win came in the D zone where he was 1 for
7, and was 0 for 6 in Minnesota 's
end. This isn't new, and in fact is a trend that is getting worse by the game.
So far this season the Jets have gone 45% against Edmonton ,
37% against, LA, 41% against Anaheim ,
and a disgusting 26% last night against Minnesota .
I've seen basic and advance stats that can both support the
importance of draws as well as dismiss it. Neutral zone draws to me are
irrelevant. Its the draws in your own zone, especially short handed that are
deadly in my opinion. Against a team like Minnesota ,
you are not going to have a fun night if they always have the puck.
For the most part, the Jets are off to a decent start this
season with several positive signs. Cleaning up face-offs is an area that needs
to be addressed, quickly. The good news is that minor corrections and practise can
usually have a positive and immediate effect. It will be something to watch
tonight against Dallas .
1 for 20 is pathetic. Especially for a guy like Little who was 60% a lot of the last two seasons.
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