Analytics Breakdown: All Signs Point to Lauderdale
Here we are once again looking to break down another Ducks game, but this time it is against the defending two-time Cup champs. You may be thinking that this would be a shell of the team that we saw win the cup due to injuries, and you would be right on the surface. This Panthers team lacked the pop we typically see from them due to the Barkov and Tkachuk injuries, along with the Marchand leave of absence, but that does not mean the Panthers are a pushover. They currently sit 6th in the league in 5v5 xGF%, with a top 10 xGF/60 and xGA/60. The main issue for them so far is that they have the 3rd worst shooting percentage in the league.
5v5 Play
This game continued a bit of a worrying trend for me with the Ducks offensively and defensively. On the defensive side of the puck, they were turnover-prone for the first half of the game, which resulted in some glorious chances early, but to the Ducks’ credit, they were able to mitigate the damage from the turnovers for the most part to those few chances early and one other good flurry early in the 2nd period.
On the offensive side of the puck, the Ducks had a few good flurries here and there, but for the most part were not able to generate enough offense within the zone. So far this season, this has been a team that has thrived in extremely wide-open games that create transition chances for both sides, but when in zone offense is required to generate chances, they have started to falter a bit. Some of that may be due to injuries, some due to learning the new system, and some may just be due to personnel. This was the lowest xGF total at 5v5 for the Ducks this season, with 1.42 xGF.
Not everything was negative in this game analytically though at 5v5. The Ducks did do a good job once Florida got within 1 goal to shutting it down a bit at 5v5. They drew a penalty, which helps to kill 2 minutes, and followed that up with some sustained pressure.
Lukas Dostal
Also, Lukas Dostal continues his impressive start to the season, recording a 4.01 GSAx in all situations and a 1.49 GSAx at 5v5 alone. He looks in control in every game and has had very little difficulty tracking any pucks. It really has seemed like he rarely gets beaten clean this season.
The only real shot type that he has had difficulty with compared to league average is a tip, which is going to be one of the most difficult shots to stop for a goalie and the most susceptible to a bit of randomness.
Special Teams
This was a game where special teams made the difference for the Ducks, even though discipline has started to become an issue.
On the Penalty Kill, the Ducks have looked dangerous at times and that came to fruition in the 2nd period with the Leo Carlsson goal. Drew Helleson set up that entire play with a clean breakout and you love to see a PK try to attack and not simply glass chip.
On the PP, the Ducks had some very nice looks throughout the game, but then ended up on a 5 on 3 PP and made no mistakes with that. Cutter Gauthier on his off side for a one timer is always going to be a very good option for this team.
Relying on special teams and goaltending alone is never going to be the most repeatable way to win games, but it is a formula that some teams have used in the past. I would love to see the 5v5 play improve for this team, but for now this seems to be the winning formula for the team. We will have to wait and see how repeatable that is.
Brian Hayward Fit Check
Hazy recycled the jacket from the Tampa game, but improved on it by adding a turtleneck. I would not say this was his most inspired look and seemed to be him throwing something together for the end of a long road trip, but having said that, it is a solid enough look.
I give this look a solid 7.2/10
Song of the Game
I am just adding in non-hockey segments for the fun of it. This segment will be a song with maybe some relevance to the game or the team they are playing.
Today’s song is All Signs Point to Lauderdale by A Day To Remember and its very simple why. The Panthers play roughly 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale.
All stats per Evolving-Hockey and Hockey Viz