Capitals Insider: Statistical analysis


Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 09/21/2011

Statistical analysis: Alexander Semin criticism is unfair
By Neil Greenberg
The Capitals winger has not just been a very good player; he has been an outstanding one.

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:45 AM ET, 09/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Alexander Semin, Statistical analysis

Posted at 01:11 PM ET, 09/13/2011

Stats Q&A: Nicklas Backstrom, Jeff Schultz and more
By Neil Greenberg
Can Nicklas Backstrom score 90 points this season? Is Jeff Schultz as bad as some fans seem to think?

By Neil Greenberg  |  01:11 PM ET, 09/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 09:23 AM ET, 08/31/2011

Statistical analysis: Why Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin need more offensive-zone starts
By Neil Greenberg
If the Capitals’ best players are given better opportunities to score, it could end up making a big difference.

By Neil Greenberg  |  09:23 AM ET, 08/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 11:52 AM ET, 08/26/2011

Statistical analysis: Will Troy Brouwer score 20 goals for the Capitals this season?
By Neil Greenberg
That mark may be a little high for the right wing, who scored 17 goals for Chicago last season.

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:52 AM ET, 08/26/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 08/23/2011

Statistical analysis: Will Nicklas Backstrom have a bounce-back season?
By Neil Greenberg
The Capitals’ star center struggled to career lows last year.

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:39 AM ET, 08/23/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Nicklas Backstrom

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 08/15/2011

Statistical analysis: Should Alexander Semin be on the NHL’s endangered species list?
By Neil Greenberg
History suggests elite goal scorers are often average goal scorers by the time they are 27 years old.

By Neil Greenberg  |  01:30 PM ET, 08/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Alexander Semin, Statistical analysis

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 08/08/2011

Statistical analysis: Joel Ward a valuable addition for Capitals
By Neil Greenberg
The 6-foot-1, 218-pound right wing could turn out to be one of Washington’s most important offseason additions.

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:20 AM ET, 08/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 11:59 AM ET, 08/03/2011

Statistical analysis: A Mike Green-Roman Hamrlik pairing could create scoring chances for Capitals
By Neil Greenberg
Hamrlik's age and experience could augment Green's skating and puck-handling ability.

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:59 AM ET, 08/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Mike Green

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 07/28/2011

Statistical analysis: Capitals’ power play isn’t a lost cause
By Neil Greenberg
Based on statistical analysis, last season’s power-play struggles should be seen as an aberration, not a trend. Having Dennis Wideman for a full season should help, and other players will need to step up as well

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:36 AM ET, 07/28/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 12:03 PM ET, 07/07/2011

Statistical analysis: The importance of Alexander Semin
By Neil Greenberg
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | Despite the Russian winger’s shortcomings, he could actually hold the key to the Capitals’ offense.

By Neil Greenberg  |  12:03 PM ET, 07/07/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Alexander Semin, Statistical analysis

Posted at 05:30 PM ET, 04/29/2011

Statistical analysis: Scouting the Lightning
By Neil Greenberg
How do the Caps dispatch their Southeastern rival and move on to round three?

By Neil Greenberg  |  05:30 PM ET, 04/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 04/27/2011

Statistical analysis: What’s causing Nicklas Backstrom’s slump?
By Neil Greenberg
Statistical analysis: The Swedish center has been taking too many defensive faceoffs.

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:58 AM ET, 04/27/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Nicklas Backstrom

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 04/04/2011

Statistical analysis: Guide to panicking about the playoffs
By Neil Greenberg
What should Capitals fans actually be concerned about heading into the postseason?

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:46 AM ET, 04/04/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 07:58 AM ET, 03/03/2011

Statistical analysis: Brooks Laich, chemist
By Neil Greenberg
Many remarked about how much chemistry there seemed to be Tuesday night between Brooks Laich and Jason Arnott in so little time, but they really shouldn't be surprised: Laich has been improving the play of his teammates all season. At even strength, the Caps see improved play across the board...

By Neil Greenberg  |  07:58 AM ET, 03/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Brooks Laich, Statistical analysis

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 03/02/2011

Statistical analysis: A closer look at Dennis Wideman's plus-minus rating
By Neil Greenberg
In an effort to provide the team some insurance against a prolonged absence of Tom Poti and Mike Green, the Caps acquired Dennis Wideman from Florida for a third-round pick in 2011 and a prospect. Wideman is a puck-moving defensemen who can clearly help on Washington's ailing power play, but...

By Neil Greenberg  |  02:49 PM ET, 03/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Dennis Wideman, Statistical analysis

Posted at 07:54 AM ET, 01/24/2011

Statistical analysis: Who is the Capitals' shutdown pair?
By Neil Greenberg
Washington's defense has been a pleasant surprise this season, allowing only 2.54 goals against (entering Saturday's game) after surrendering 2.77 goals per game last year. So when it comes to being the Capitals' "shutdown pair," who is doing most of the heavy lifting? The defensive pairings have seen far less...

By Neil Greenberg  |  07:54 AM ET, 01/24/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis

Posted at 10:17 AM ET, 01/14/2011

Statistical analysis: How to fix the Caps' power play in two easy steps
By Neil Greenberg
Remember when the Capitals' power play used to strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams? Yeah, that was awesome. Coach Bruce Boudreau is frustrated too, seeing his team score only four goals on 45 scoring chances during their last 43 power-play opportunities. One definition of insanity is doing the...

By Neil Greenberg  |  10:17 AM ET, 01/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 10:53 AM ET, 01/12/2011

Statistical analysis: What are the Caps' best line combos?
By Neil Greenberg
We have all made the argument at one point or another along the lines of "Yeah, but he plays with better/worse linemates than [insert player here]." One of the benefits of logging the scoring chances every game is that you get to see just how true this is. So when...

By Neil Greenberg  |  10:53 AM ET, 01/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis

Posted at 09:39 AM ET, 01/06/2011

Statistical analysis: Midseason Capitals awards
By Neil Greenberg
Half the of the 2010-11 campaign is in the books, and now it's time to give out some midseason awards: *The Langway "Undersecretary of Defense" Trophy *The Kolzig Award *The Hunter Trophy *The Bonzai The Langway "Undersecretary of Defense" Trophy This trophy is awarded to the Capitals' best overall defenseman....

By Neil Greenberg  |  09:39 AM ET, 01/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis

Posted at 01:53 PM ET, 12/30/2010

Statistical analysis: Keys to a Winter Classic victory for Capitals
By Neil Greenberg
While most people outside the Beltway don't think Washington stands much of a chance against Sidney Crosby and company on such a big stage, here are three keys to the Capitals coming away the Winter Classic victors on New Year's Day: Use Carlzner to Neutralize Crosby. When Sid the Kid...

By Neil Greenberg  |  01:53 PM ET, 12/30/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis

Posted at 01:29 PM ET, 12/04/2010

Statistical analysis: Which Alex is more talented at scoring goals?
By Neil Greenberg
There is no debate that both Alex Ovechkin (named the best player by his peers three out of his five full seasons in the league, including the last two) and Alexander Semin (on pace for a career-high 55 goals this season) are two of the NHL's most talented players, but...

By Neil Greenberg  |  01:29 PM ET, 12/04/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 11/21/2010

Statistical analysis: No Boyd Gordon, no win for Caps
By Neil Greenberg
Hard work, not flashy stats, is why the Capitals are unbeaten in regulation when center Boyd Gordon gets a sweater. Despite having no goals and only three assists in 12 games, it is certainly not for a lack of opportunities. When Gordon is on the ice during even strength, the team...

By Neil Greenberg  |  02:30 PM ET, 11/21/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis

Posted at 04:38 PM ET, 10/31/2010

Statistical analysis: Is Alex Ovechkin giving luck a chance?
By Neil Greenberg
Goal scoring is a function of opportunity, skill and luck. There is no denying that playing on the top line with Mike Knuble, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom affords Alex Ovechkin every opportunity to score goals, while his mantle full of individual NHL awards and a 52-goal pace this year...

By Neil Greenberg  |  04:38 PM ET, 10/31/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis

Posted at 03:50 PM ET, 10/17/2010

Nicklas Backstrom leads the way in the defensive zone, but is that a good thing?
By Neil Greenberg
The Capitals have struggled a bit with faceoffs these first few games, causing Coach Bruce Boudreau to rely more heavily on Nicklas Backstrom for draws in the defensive zone. That perhaps explains why it took the Super Swede four games to record his first point of the 2010-11 NHL season....

By Neil Greenberg  |  03:50 PM ET, 10/17/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis

Posted at 11:27 AM ET, 10/06/2010

Will Eric Fehr have another breakout season?
By Neil Greenberg
Last season the Washington Capitals scored an impressive 313 goals with seven different 20-goal scorers, including Eric Fehr, who set career highs in goals (21), assists (18) and points (39). His 1.48 goals per sixty minutes of ice time during five on five was more than both $100 million winger...

By Neil Greenberg  |  11:27 AM ET, 10/06/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Statistical analysis, Statistical analysis