I hate to be that guy, but they can’t keep playing this way and still win games. They’re spending too much time in their own zone and taking too many penalties. Mean reversion is inevitable, and it could happen during the playoffs. And the problems are mostly with their defensemen having a hell of a time with clean exists and entries. They need to get Miro back. Miro can fix this.
Usually I don’t care about shot totals, much less shot attempts. Corsi is highly misleading. But tonight, it was a consequence of the Flames dominating possession in all three zones. But they also got the full Casey DeSmith experience, and they don’t have the top end scoring talent that the Stars have.
I think everyone is That Guy at this point. I'm just resigned to enjoying this insane ride while we all wait to see how long it takes them to course correct. If they can.
The thing is, they somehow just keep winning despite not playing their best hockey. God help the rest of the NHL if they do get their best game back (along with Miro and Seguin).
I've made my feelings known on other posts (Kenneth is indisputably correct). But we also have to admire the fact the Stars have won 3 consecutive games, on the road, by a combined 12-5, and all of us agree the team has been pretty terrible.
That's something. The Mikko goal truly represented the absurdity of it and how they're both stifling opps at one end (via goaltending) and depositing the rare opp at the other end.
Prior to the Robertson/Hintz/Mikko race up ice the Stars repeatedly failed to exit their zone, turning multiple pucks over. Which has been the norm for a few weeks now. They finally miraculously do exit the zone AND somehow navigate the neutral zone as well (a true rarity in recent times) and then....magic!
Yes, Kenneth is right. But it's also a wonder to behold.
If we didn't have fancy math with corsi and xGs and everything and all we knew were results like some 1980s dark ages everyone would be saying "this team just knows how to win" or whatever. And while that's silly.....we have to admit there's SOMETHING going on that is positive.
On the funky stat about penalties taken and W/L record…do you think the games they’re taking more penalties they are also getting more PP looks, due to more penalties being called on both sides? And then their special teams win that battle? In other words, all things equal, exchanging PP opportunities favors the stars? Just a thought for fun. Obviously a dangerous way to live, which you could also say about their recent play entirely.
That's a good theory. Lines up with the principle that teams with great goalies should want more wide-open games, as both goalies being tested favors the better net minders.
Robert, this game and your write up changed my attitude. This might be a wild ride, but the high end talent on this team is pretty incredible when you look at what they are doing. I have not seen this during my time following the team. Looking at the central right now with WPG, DAL, COL, MIN, and STL, no easy matchups. Catching WPG gets you STL and Bennington on a heater. This is going to be so much fun.
“the Stars’ shot suppression approach these days looks they’re trying to control a wildfire with a butterfly net.” This couldn’t be truer and the mental image it creates is forever burned in my brain🤣
I'll be thinking that every time I see a forward in the defensive zone fling a no-look pass into the slot that lands directly on the opposing team's stick - something that has happened each of the last 3 games.
I hate to be that guy, but they can’t keep playing this way and still win games. They’re spending too much time in their own zone and taking too many penalties. Mean reversion is inevitable, and it could happen during the playoffs. And the problems are mostly with their defensemen having a hell of a time with clean exists and entries. They need to get Miro back. Miro can fix this.
Usually I don’t care about shot totals, much less shot attempts. Corsi is highly misleading. But tonight, it was a consequence of the Flames dominating possession in all three zones. But they also got the full Casey DeSmith experience, and they don’t have the top end scoring talent that the Stars have.
I think everyone is That Guy at this point. I'm just resigned to enjoying this insane ride while we all wait to see how long it takes them to course correct. If they can.
The thing is, they somehow just keep winning despite not playing their best hockey. God help the rest of the NHL if they do get their best game back (along with Miro and Seguin).
I've made my feelings known on other posts (Kenneth is indisputably correct). But we also have to admire the fact the Stars have won 3 consecutive games, on the road, by a combined 12-5, and all of us agree the team has been pretty terrible.
That's something. The Mikko goal truly represented the absurdity of it and how they're both stifling opps at one end (via goaltending) and depositing the rare opp at the other end.
Prior to the Robertson/Hintz/Mikko race up ice the Stars repeatedly failed to exit their zone, turning multiple pucks over. Which has been the norm for a few weeks now. They finally miraculously do exit the zone AND somehow navigate the neutral zone as well (a true rarity in recent times) and then....magic!
Yes, Kenneth is right. But it's also a wonder to behold.
If we didn't have fancy math with corsi and xGs and everything and all we knew were results like some 1980s dark ages everyone would be saying "this team just knows how to win" or whatever. And while that's silly.....we have to admit there's SOMETHING going on that is positive.
On the funky stat about penalties taken and W/L record…do you think the games they’re taking more penalties they are also getting more PP looks, due to more penalties being called on both sides? And then their special teams win that battle? In other words, all things equal, exchanging PP opportunities favors the stars? Just a thought for fun. Obviously a dangerous way to live, which you could also say about their recent play entirely.
That's a good theory. Lines up with the principle that teams with great goalies should want more wide-open games, as both goalies being tested favors the better net minders.
Robert, this game and your write up changed my attitude. This might be a wild ride, but the high end talent on this team is pretty incredible when you look at what they are doing. I have not seen this during my time following the team. Looking at the central right now with WPG, DAL, COL, MIN, and STL, no easy matchups. Catching WPG gets you STL and Bennington on a heater. This is going to be so much fun.
Buckle up! It'll either be a catastrophe or an admirable recovery. Either way, entertainment!
“the Stars’ shot suppression approach these days looks they’re trying to control a wildfire with a butterfly net.” This couldn’t be truer and the mental image it creates is forever burned in my brain🤣
I'll be thinking that every time I see a forward in the defensive zone fling a no-look pass into the slot that lands directly on the opposing team's stick - something that has happened each of the last 3 games.