Photo by Lisa McRitchie, all rights reserved.
One of the fun things about exploring Dennis King's scoring chance data is finding things that are inexplicable, like J.F. Jacques being a plus away from Ryan Jones. I've also come to enjoy finding the curious, like the Oilers scoring chances against in front of different goaltenders.
TCF = Total even strength chances for on, TCA = Total even strength chances against on, % = percentage of even strength scoring chances for while on the ice, CF/60 = even strength chances for on per 60 minutes of even strength playing time, CA/60 = even strength chances against on per 60 minutes of even strength playing time, DIFF/60 = even strength scoring chance difference per 60 minutes of even strength playing time.
First up, the scoring chances for and against with the 2009-2010 goaltending crew. The Oilers gave up four more chances per 60 minutes in front of Nikolai Khabibulin compared to Devan Dubnyk and almost five more chances per 60 minutes compared to Jeff Deslauriers.
| Player | TCF | TCA | % | CF/60 | CA/60 | DIFF/60 |
| Jeff Deslauriers | 491 | 595 | 0.452 | 13.531 | 16.397 | -2.866 |
| Devan Dubnyk | 195 | 239 | 0.449 | 14.072 | 17.247 | -3.175 |
| Average | 900 | 1124 | 0.445 | 14.108 | 17.620 | -3.511 |
| Nikolai Khabibulin | 214 | 290 | 0.425 | 15.681 | 21.250 | -5.569 |
Next up, the scoring chances for and against thus far with the 2010-2011 goaltending crew. The Oilers have given up three more chances per 60 minutes in front of Nikolai Khabibulin compared to Devan Dubnyk.
| Player | TCF | TCA | % | CF/60 | CA/60 | DIFF/60 |
| Martin Gerber | 36 | 37 | 0.493 | 15.316 | 15.741 | -0.425 |
| Devan Dubnyk | 350 | 383 | 0.477 | 15.535 | 17.000 | -1.465 |
| Average | 839 | 1010 | 0.454 | 15.474 | 18.628 | -3.154 |
| Nikolai Khabibulin | 453 | 590 | 0.434 | 15.440 | 20.109 | -4.669 |
The two year totals are listed below.
| Player | TCF | TCA | % | CF/60 | CA/60 | DIFF/60 |
| Martin Gerber | 36 | 37 | 0.493 | 15.316 | 15.741 | -0.425 |
| Devan Dubnyk | 545 | 622 | 0.467 | 14.978 | 17.094 | -2.116 |
| Jeff Deslauriers | 491 | 595 | 0.452 | 13.531 | 16.397 | -2.866 |
| Average | 1739 | 2134 | 0.449 | 14.736 | 18.083 | -3.347 |
| Nikolai Khabibulin | 667 | 880 | 0.431 | 15.516 | 20.471 | -4.955 |
During both seasons, Khabibulin has played in front of a mostly-healthy Oilers team before going on injured reserve. During both seasons, Dubnyk and Deslauriers have played in front of a mostly-injured Oilers team who have sent a large number of rookies and AHL players out in front of Dubnyk and Deslauriers. What explanations can we explore to determine why the Oilers are giving up far more chances in front of Khabibulin compared to anyone else who plays in goal for them?
I have a hunch, but I won't spoil the discussion with it.