Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
If he is playing against these guys then why does Monahan have a huge majority of the faceoffs against them?
2015-16 faceoffs
Kopitar Monahan 48 - Backlund 18
Getzlaff Monahan 19 Backlund 23
Toews Monahan 33 Backlund 11
Sedin Monahan 45 Backlund 16
total of the players you suggest Backlund is up against Monahan 145 Backlund 68. Stajan had 19 faceoffs against Getzlaff.
from this stats it would suggest that Backlund is being protected.
stats source puckbase.com |
You should separate home versus away. I don't know what it would reveal, but if Monahan takes away faceoffs would mean that opponents are steering their top lines away from Backlund and at Monahan, or are at least indifferent.
Kopitar facing Monahan more is more of an indication that Sutter wants Monahan checked by Kopitar than Monahan being assigned to check Kopitar. Plus Carter is the faster guy, and better checked by Backlund.
Arguably Toews is the same, since Backlund might be assigned the Anisimov/Kane line. Toews is out there to shut down Monahan, not the other way around. Backlund is trying to shut down Kane.