Quote:
Originally Posted by Fan in Exile
Do you think we sit in a playoff spot after 13 games if Backlund has one point in 13 games next season? I don't.
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Do you think we sit in a playoff spot after 13 games if Backlund has 6.5 ±0.5 points in 13 games next season? I don't.
Do you think we sit in a playoff spot after 13 games if Backlund has one point in 13 games next season while our goaltenders have league average performance, Backlund continues to keep his 5-on-5 goals against around 2.05 (preferably better, as this rate is in front of bad goalies rather than league average ones), Sean Monahan reduces his 5-on-5 goals against from 2.86 to a more manageable rate of a real #1C (within 15% of Backlund as a #2C), and Stajan reduces his 5-on-5 goals against rate from 2.40 to a more managable rate of a #4C (within 15% of backlund)? I think we would be in the mix as that would mean keeping the goals against close to one or two. A lot more games would get to overtime too, where points are obtained just or not losing in regulation.
It's pretty straightforward to me. We have two lines that have bled goals against all year. The Stajan line, who constantly get scored on and rarely score themselves because they are too slow and unskilled, and the first line, who constantly turn the puck over and then spend the rest of their shift trying to get a line change, especially on the road. We have one line that hasn't bled goals against, the Backlund line. They also haven't bled chances against, there's a correlation.
This team needs all of its other centers to do their respective two-way duties as well as Backlund does his and they would be an elite team as they have the offensive firepower. Backlund isn't Patrice Bergeron but he is by far the best defensive center on this team. It shouldn't be by far.