27 replies to this topic

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Agreed - some of that is ice time related, some of it is him just playing better. I don't think we can expect 14.3% anymore, although Kovalchuk is weird in that he typically shoots better at even strength - I think back then he was flying the zone a lot more.

His shooting%s have all been lower since coming to NJ...I think 13% or less is what we can probably expect going forward. Like you and others pointed out, unless we look it up, we also don't know how many backup goalies he was facing as a Thrasher...he's likely facing tougher goalies now.

[Pepperkorn]

Well broad brush strokes me says: Kovalchuk is starting to see gains from the time and energy he's been investing in becoming a more complete player. Of course he's not there but I think the forward momentum is getting apparent. I think he's just getting into a zone where, I personally hope, he's poised to break-out. Of course I think it's a mental place he's getting more and more secure with. I think he'll have the nerve to take it up a notch. That has always been my hope for him. But it's my hope for everyone - it's just the way I think.

well -- in all honesty I dont think Kovalchuk is the break-out kind of guy. I think he's steady and will continue slowly progressing forward at the same rate he has been. I say slowly but in fact it's a fast clip, you see improvements in half seasons chunks - at least that's what it feels like to me.

[njdevsftw]

Kovalchuk shoots better at even strength

This is what can happen to your brain if you read to much statistics.

[aylbert]

This is what can happen to your brain if you read to much statistics.

Wouldn't that just be factual?
It's assumptions you make from statistics that could lead you to say arguable things.

[Triumph]

Wouldn't that just be factual?
It's assumptions you make from statistics that could lead you to say arguable things.

I think it's unclear language. Kovalchuk scores goals on a higher percentage of his shots at even strength than on the 5 on 4 power play - this is pretty much an indisputable fact. The reasoning is simple enough, he's playing the point and often shooting from farther away from the net than he is at even strength. This doesn't mean he shoots 'worse', but according to the numbers, he does.

[njdevsftw]

I think it's unclear language. Kovalchuk scores goals on a higher percentage of his shots at even strength than on the 5 on 4 power play - this is pretty much an indisputable fact. The reasoning is simple enough, he's playing the point and often shooting from farther away from the net than he is at even strength. This doesn't mean he shoots 'worse', but according to the numbers, he does.

Now that, sir, makes more sense.

[Exit56]

I think it's unclear language. Kovalchuk scores goals on a higher percentage of his shots at even strength than on the 5 on 4 power play - this is pretty much an indisputable fact. The reasoning is simple enough, he's playing the point and often shooting from farther away from the net than he is at even strength. This doesn't mean he shoots 'worse', but according to the numbers, he does.

Then apparently we need someone to look at those statistics and get him off the point on the PP - I'd be happy if he was in the location where goals #2 or #3 occurred last night more often.

Coach DeBoer's kids go to the same school as my daughter, maybe I'll sneak them a note one morning...

[Triumph]

Then apparently we need someone to look at those statistics and get him off the point on the PP - I'd be happy if he was in the location where goals #2 or #3 occurred last night more often.

Coach DeBoer's kids go to the same school as my daughter, maybe I'll sneak them a note one morning...

He's still the best point man we've got though - Zidlicky is allergic to shooting and as for Greene and Fayne and Larsson, their performance speaks for itself.