Quote:
Originally Posted by driveway
Johansson v. Backlund advanced stats; source: Extraskater.com
Johansson
CF% 49.3% FF% 48.9% CF%rel +0.2% FF%rel +0.5% PDO 99.0 O-Zone starts 54% QoC(TotTm%) 29.6%
Backlund
CF% 49.1% FF% 50.2 CF%rel +5.0% FF%rel +4.6% PDO 98.0 O-Zone starts 46.3% QoC(ToTm%) 31.2%
To summarize: Backlund and Johansson have largely similar numbers, the significant differences occur in O-Zone starts, where Backlund starts most of his shifts in the D-zone and Johansson starts most in the O-zone and in relative Fenwick and Corsi, meaning that Backlund is (excuse the grammar) 'more better' than his teammates than Johansson is. Backlund also faces more difficult competition that Jonansson does.
Considering that Johansson should be assuming 3rd/4th line minutes and duties in Sochi, and also considering that Backlund exceeds Backstrom and Berglund in D-Zone starts and QofC, the numbers indicate to me that Backlund would have been the better choice for team Sweden as he is the better defensive player, better suited to facing stiffer competition and defensive zone starts.
But then, we already know that I'm the conductor of the Backwagon so my defence of the man is well within character.
However, I will be happy to take the gold medal away from those filthy, blonde pickled-fish eaters.
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You are leaving out a couple important facts.
1. Backlund is on a hot streak, one that I believe is unparalleled in his career. Who knows how long that can continue.
2. Johansson has been a better player in every season he has been in the NHL and he has shown more consistency than Backlund in their short NHL careers.