What the Numbers Tell Us After 35 Games
Dive into the numbers and stats 35 games in for the Lightning
Welcome to our deep dive into the statistics and numbers of the Tampa Lightning season and what they have told us about the team so far!
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Defense Not So Defensive
With players like Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev manning the back end of the ice once again this season, many would have thought that the team’s defense would be solid again and help lead the way to another deep playoff run. While Hedman did reach the 1,000 career game mark this season, that has not been the case as both of the go-to defensemen have not been able to be at their A-game and it shows in the stats and analytics of the game as well.
According to hockeystatcards.com, both players rank in the negative defensively and are among the team’s worst analytically in their zone (Hedman: -3.5, Sergachev (-2.2). While Hedman has been able to keep himself clean for the most part when it comes to being on the ice for opponent goals (-4 plus/minus), Sergachev has been on the opposite side of the spectrum and holds the team’s worst plus/minus at -15.
While these two players are not the only reason for concern regarding the team's defense, they are both the ones that the team and fans look to when it comes to crunch time or when a big play is needed.
As a whole, the Lightning are allowing the 12th most shots per game, and with Andrei Vasilevskiy having been out for the first month and a half of the season, they are lucky that they have been able to keep themselves above .500.
The Big Cat Makes Big Difference
While no one was arguing that Vasilevskiy being out of action with an injury was going to be a detriment to the success of the team, fill-in starter Jonas Johansson was able to hold down the fort admirably for the team in his absence.
Even though he played decent enough in the net, he was a bit below average for the team. His -.41 average per game (per hockeystatcards.com), and 67 goals allowed were above the expected 58.8 for the time he was in the net.
In Vasy’s absence, the Lightning were able to tread water while allowing the league’s 7th most goals with 72 as well as the 7th most goals allowed per game with 3.60.
Upon his return to action, Vasilevskiy has looked more than capable in the net outside of one start when he got pulled after two periods of play against the Dallas Stars. With him back in the net, the team has seen more success and it has shown in the stats, with the team being able to cut the goals against per game from the above-mentioned 3.60 down to 3.27.
Unlike Johansson, Vasilevskiy has been able to perform well enough to grade out above average and has graded out at a .16 average so far in 13 games. While it doesn’t jump off the page, that average can easily go up as the season progresses and if the team can play a little bit better in front of him. So far, he has allowed only 35 goals while being expected to allow 37.
With Vasilevskiy healthy, the team could benefit both in terms of goaltending play and an increased sense of confidence from the defensemen.
Kuch off to a Torrid Start
Last season Nikita Kucherov was finally able to put together a full 82-game season, broke the 110-point mark, and was in the running for the Hart Trophy. While healthy again this season and only missing one game through the first 35, he is on pace to surpass that. Through 35 games, he already has 23 goals after finishing last season with 30 and has 57 total points to his record.
These numbers have been greatly shown when it comes to the analytics, with Kucherov having a total of a +11.3 grading offensively. That rating ties him for first in the league with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon. His play has also greatly impacted his linemate Brayden Point, who is pushing a +6.5 overall offensive rating on the season. If the play from both of these two guys can rub off a little more on Nicholas Paul in the offensive zone (+1.0 offensive rating), the Bolts’ top line could become even more dangerous as the season goes on.
Here’s to hoping that some of these stats and analytics can improve throughout the rest of the season and that the Lightning can once again find themselves in the middle of a playoff run. GO BOLTS!