Avs 1 - Sharks 0: Scoring Chances, Game Three

by Derek Zona on Apr 19, 2010 1:15 PM MDT in Game Reports

He's actually celebrating getting into the Sharks' zone. via cdn.picapp.com

26:48. That's how long the Colorado Avalanche went without a scoring chance last night. With 5:57 to go in the second period, the Avs had their last chance of the night, after which the Sharks reeled off 14 chances in a row before Steve Smithing themselves in overtime. Colorado didn't have a single scoring chance in the third period and, in fact, were rarely in the San Jose zone.

The story of the night was obviously Craig Anderson, but the true story of this series is just how badly the Avalanche have played. Three nights ago, Evgeni Nabokov couldn't stop anything thrown his way, yet the Avalanche couldn't win against a goaltender with a .780 save percentage. Last night, the Avs were stuck in their own end for most of the night and but for the insanity that is Craig Anderson, they should have lost by 4.

Remember, this was a game in Denver, so the Avs had the advantage of the matchups, and the results were still awful.

Period	Totals		EV		PP		5v3 PP		SH		5v3 SH
1	2	4	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
2	3	12	3	10	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
3	0	10	0	7	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	5	26	5	19	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	0

San Jose outchanced Colorado 19-5 at even strength and 26-5 overall. I don't recall ever seeing a game that was this lopsided in the chances department. The Avs had zero chances in the third period and only four shots on goal.

The Corsi totals tell the same story. The Avs were once again shelled at even strength, ending the game at a ridiculous -39, meaning that their Corsi total is -69 over the last two games. The last two games of this series have seen the Avalanche outchanced 33 - 15 at even strength and 60-21 overall and yet they have a win.

Scoring Chances for NHL Game Number 30153

Team	Period	Time	Note	COL						Opponent
COL	1	18:26		4	16	29	37	41	44	20	21	40	41	60	64	5v5
COL	1	11:39		15	16	22	41	52	55	4	8	16	20	29	44	5v5
SJS	1	6:09		9	29	41	44	52	59	4	12	17	19	20	44	5v5
SJS	1	4:37		10	16	37	41	52	55	3	16	19	20	22	29	5v5
SJS	1	3:48		15	22	27	39	41		4	20	27	29	39	60	4v5
SJS	1	2:51		15	22	27	39	41		8	12	16	19	20	22	4v5
SJS	2	16:02		9	10	29	41	52	59	4	8	16	20	29	44	5v5
SJS	2	14:47		22	25	26	27	39	41	12	20	21	40	41	60	5v5
SJS	2	13:53		16	22	37	41	44	55	4	17	20	29	39	44	5v5
SJS	2	13:27		10	16	37	41	52	55	4	8	16	20	29	44	5v5
COL	2	12:07		4	9	22	29	39	41	4	20	21	41	44	64	5v5
SJS	2	9:37		10	22	25	26	39	41	3	8	17	20	22	29	5v5
SJS	2	9:29		10	22	25	26	39	41	3	8	17	20	22	29	5v5
SJS	2	9:23		10	22	25	26	39	41	3	8	17	20	22	29	5v5
SJS	2	9:22		10	22	25	26	39	41	3	8	17	20	22	29	5v5
COL	2	6:20		9	15	18	22	27	41	8	17	20	29	40	60	5v5
COL	2	5:57		4	25	26	39	41	44	4	20	21	27	44	64	5v5
SJS	2	3:24		10	18	22	37	41		8	12	16	19	20	22	4v5
SJS	2	2:41		4	15	27	39	41		4	12	16	19	20	22	4v5
SJS	2	0:12		22	25	26	39	41	52	12	16	19	20	22	40	5v5
SJS	2	0:10		22	25	26	39	41	52	12	16	19	20	22	40	5v5
SJS	3	17:58		10	16	37	41	44	55	20	21	27	40	60	64	5v5
SJS	3	14:43		4	9	16	22	41	59	4	8	17	20	29	44	5v5
SJS	3	12:17		9	10	15	41	52	59	4	8	17	20	29	44	5v5
SJS	3	11:32		22	25	26	27	39	41	3	12	16	19	20	22	5v5
SJS	3	8:56		22	25	26	27	39	41	3	12	16	19	20	22	5v5
SJS	3	7:52		4	9	41	52	55	59	4	8	17	20	44	64	5v5
SJS	3	4:53		4	15	39	41	52		8	12	16	19	20	22	4v5
SJS	3	4:15		10	18	22	37	41		4	20	27	29	39	60	4v5
SJS	3	2:08		15	22	26	27	41		8	19	20	22	27	29	4v5
SJS	3	1:13		4	9	37	39	41	52	3	16	20	22	41	64	5v5

#	Player	EV			PP			SH
4	J. LILES	13:24	3	3	3:27	0	0	1:10	0	2
9	M. DUCHENE	14:54	2	6	2:08	0	0	0:09	0	0
10	K. CUMISKEY	16:35	0	9	1:22	0	0	4:25	0	2
15	M. HENDRICKS	7:16	2	1	0:00	0	0	5:18	0	5
16	D. TUCKER	9:48	2	5	1:52	0	0	0:00	0	0
18	S. YELLE	7:33	1	0	0:00	0	0	4:43	0	2
22	S. HANNAN	19:42	3	11	0:05	0	0	7:30	0	5
23	M. HEJDUK	0:57	0	0	0:23	0	0	0:00	0	0
25	C. STEWART	15:58	1	9	2:08	0	0	0:00	0	0
26	P. STASTNY	17:14	1	9	2:08	0	0	1:36	0	1
27	K. QUINCEY	15:04	1	3	2:14	0	0	5:04	0	4
29	R. STOA	7:56	2	2	0:49	0	0	0:00	0	0
37	R. O'REILLY	14:17	1	5	0:00	0	0	5:10	0	2
39	T. GALIARDI	17:09	2	10	1:03	0	0	4:31	0	4
41	C. ANDERSON	45:58	5	19	4:00	0	0	10:53	0	7
44	R. WILSON	10:38	2	3	0:28	0	0	0:18	0	0
52	A. FOOTE	17:02	1	9	0:01	0	0	3:19	0	1
55	C. MCLEOD	8:47	1	5	0:00	0	0	0:19	0	0
59	B. YIP	14:32	0	5	1:52	0	0	0:00	0	0

Perhaps I should have rated this 'R' for adult viewing as the numbers themselves are gruesome and probably not fit for children. Avs coach Joe Sacco is limited by his weak roster and chose to go with a power-versus-power matchup - Paul Stastny on Joe Thornton. The results weren't good as Stastny posted a -11 on the Corsi meter and -8 on the scoring chances chart. That matchup meant that Joe Pavelski got to see Matt Duchene on a regular basis. The results were slightly better as Duchene posted a -10 Corsi and a -4 in scoring chances.

In reality, Colorado is going to have to get all-universe goaltending the rest of the way to win this series. There's just not enough talent, and not enough two-way players on the Avalanche to hang with the Sharks.

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

There’s just not enough talent, and not enough two-way players on the Avalanche to hang with the Sharks.

And yet they’re just two wins away. It’s crazy. Getting outchanced 26-5 is also pretty crazy. Anderson definitely deserved the standing ovation he received last night. If you had let me bet on the outcome of just one series in the West, this would have been it and I’d be getting real nervous right about now.

by Scott Reynolds on Apr 19, 2010 1:36 PM MDT reply actions

I had this as my only four-game series. I mean, I know it’s San Jose but still…

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Apr 19, 2010 1:47 PM MDT up reply actions

I don’t know if I would. The Sharks just put on two of the most dominant performances of the year – in the playoffs. That’s crazy, but if they keep doing it, I don’t think Anderson can withstand it.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Apr 19, 2010 5:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Yeah… but even if you only give Colorado a 30% shot in each game they’re almost 50/50 to win the series now.

by Scott Reynolds on Apr 19, 2010 5:44 PM MDT up reply actions

In reality, Colorado is going to have to get all-universe goaltending the rest of the way to win this series. There’s just not enough talent, and not enough two-way players on the Avalanche to hang with the Sharks.

Which means they’re winning in six.

To borrow a line from an old classic, “Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded.”

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Apr 19, 2010 1:46 PM MDT reply actions

And here I thought I was the only one who remembered that.

by Benjamin Massey on Apr 19, 2010 11:41 PM MDT up reply actions

The Avs were once again shelled at even strength, ending the game at a ridiculous -39, meaning that their Corsi total is -69 over the last two games. The last two games of this series have seen the Avalanche outchanced 33 – 15 at even strength and 60-21 overall and yet they have a win.

Insanity. This is wrath of god type shit. I wonder which deity Wilson pissed off?

Flames Nation
Fivehole fanatics

by Kent Wilson on Apr 19, 2010 1:47 PM MDT reply actions

Alternatively, I wonder when the Devil gets Anderson’s/Sacco’s soul?

Flames Nation
Fivehole fanatics

by Kent Wilson on Apr 19, 2010 1:47 PM MDT up reply actions

Like dawgbone said below – do the same thing tomorrow night and unless Anderson has morphed into Hasek, you’re good to go.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Apr 19, 2010 5:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Watching Anderson receive that extended standing ovation after the game was the highlight of the playoffs for me. As a former goalie myself, it’s easy to appreciate a guy who was drafted twice, claimed on waivers three times, played five years in the AHL and parts of six seasons as an NHL backup, finally get his chance and deliver the goods like that. As indeed he has all season. Outstanding to see it all crystallize in such a moment.

Kudos too to the Oilogosphere, who collectively nailed this guy as the best UFA netminder last summer. I’ve been tracking frequently-named guys like Anderson, Malhotra, and Goc especially closely this year, and they have delivered to their new, still-non-Oiler teams the type of results that were forecast on the ’sphere, and at a bargain price too.

In other news, is Kyle Cumiskey related to Taylor Chorney?

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 19, 2010 3:17 PM MDT reply actions

I watched this game waiting for San Jose to blow it open.

It was one of those games where you know for sure that one team will win and you sit there waiting for it to happen…

I really hope that San Jose’s coaching staff and management didn’t do anything other than go in the room and say “3 more games of that at we are off to the next round”.

You can’t leave that game as a coach unhappy with how your team played. You can be upset about the chances that didn’t go in, but you can’t be upset with how your team played. That’s as close to utter domination as a team can get.

by dawgbone98 on Apr 19, 2010 3:28 PM MDT reply actions

I can’t remember a team being so thoroughly dominated, and I’m an Oilers fan.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Apr 19, 2010 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions

This game honestly reminded me of being on various Smithers (BC) Minor Hockey Association “B” teams, going up against smaller towns’ “A” teams and getting absolutely pillaged. Our goalie was always high, though, so the final scores were a lot closer to what was expected out of last night’s effort.

by Passive Voice on Apr 19, 2010 4:46 PM MDT reply actions

Obviously this isn’t a normal game scenario. But Anderson seems to have single handedly earned his bosses a Game Six in Colorado. Revenues of like 2 million or more for a home game?

What does that say about evaluating goalies’ value to a team?

by antro on Apr 20, 2010 7:41 AM MDT reply actions

Fernando Pisani seemed to have single-handedly earned us a Stanley Cup Finals Game 6 in Edmonton, so “not that much”. Any player can make a difference by getting hot in a small-sample-size tournament.

by Benjamin Massey on Apr 20, 2010 12:33 PM MDT up reply actions

I don’t remember the series. Did Pisani play all scoring chances against that resulted in shots-on-goal? That’s a difference with a goalie. And from the sounds of things, Anderson has been hot most of the year. It just seems like an extreme situation like this can highlight what goalies do, given the notorious difficulty of evaluate their effect on winning. Which, actually is the real problem with the first question, given that I brought up the effect on revenue rather than winning (as in wins above replacement).

by antro on Apr 21, 2010 6:51 AM MDT up reply actions

I believe that was a reference to the Game 5 OT shortie that sent the series back to Edmonton. It was win-or-go-home time.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Apr 21, 2010 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions

The results were slightly better as Duchene posted a -10 Corsi and a -4 in scoring chances.

This made me laugh.

Our Sharks guy over at BoC has exorcised the demons from the Sharks so tonight should go much better. Either that or he’s going to sacrifice his cat to the hockey gods.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Apr 20, 2010 12:54 PM MDT reply actions

When you’re getting bombed, surviving more than the other guy is something, I guess.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Apr 20, 2010 1:38 PM MDT up reply actions

This analysis made me very happy. Thanks guys.

The curse shall be ended.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Apr 20, 2010 1:27 PM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Oilers Schedule

Last 5 Games

@ Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sat 04/07	L 0 - 3
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	Thu 04/05	OT - L 2 - 3
@ Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Mon 04/02	L 0 - 2
@ Anaheim Anaheim Calling	Sun 04/01	W 2 - 1
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	Fri 03/30	L 1 - 4

Clear Victory Standings

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings (27-11, .711)
St. Louis Blues (24-10, .706)
Vancouver Canucks (22-10, .688)
Los Angeles Kings (18-11, .621)
San Jose Sharks (18-13, .581)
Phoenix Coyotes (20-15, .571)
Nashville Predators (18-14, .563)
Chicago Blackhawks (21-19, .525)
Colorado Avalanche (16-19, .457)
Dallas Stars (18-22, .450)
Anaheim Ducks (14-19, .424)
Edmonton Oilers (18-25, .419)
Calgary Flames (13-21, .382)
Columbus Blue Jackets (14-31, .311)
Minnesota Wild (8-22,.267)

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh Penguins (31-13, .711)
Boston Bruins (27-11, .711)
New York Rangers (25-16, .610)
Philadelphia Flyers (21-17, .553)
New Jersey Devils (18-16, .529)
Ottawa Senators (19-17, .528)
Washington Capitals (20-19, .513)
Montreal Canadiens (16-19, .457)
Winnipeg Jets (15-19, .441)
Buffalo Sabres (14-18, .438)
Carolina Hurricanes (13-17, .433)
Florida Panthers (14-19, .424)
Toronto Maple Leafs (17-24, .415)
New York Islanders (8-23, .258)
Tampa Bay Lightning (10-30, .250)

Division Standings

Central (79-58, .577)
Atlantic (68-50, .576)
Pacific (62-54, .534)
Northeast (69-65, .515)
Northwest (49-69, .415)
Southeast (51-81, .386)

Network Bar

The Copper & Blue -

An Edmonton Oilers Fan Site - poise of analysis and discussion