Scoring chances: ECQF Game 4, Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres

The first chance didn’t come until 13:23 remaining with the Flyers on the powerplay. Jason Pominville would score the only goal of the game three minutes later, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying that neither team managed a goal. The total chances for the first period was 11-8 in favour of the Flyers, with the team getting five even strength chances and five powerplay chances, plus one shorthanded. Both Ryan Miller and Brian Boucher were solid, with Boucher getting help from the posts on two occassions.

The highlight of the second period has to be James van Riemsdyk getting three great chances in seven seconds, with Miller staying strong and keeping each chance out of the net. The second ended with the chances 9-5 to the Flyers, and Mike Richards in the box for elbowing and a five minute major.

The penalty killers for the first five minutes of the third were excellent. The Sabres only managed two chances on the powerplay (from two shots), and the PK unit gave the Flyers every chance to get back in the game. Unfortunately for them (and us), Miller was spectacular. Danny Briere was left all alone in front of the net and Miller was able to stay with him and caught the shot in his glove like it was nothing. Boosh was also great, and I think his stop on Ennis’ breakaway chance with 5:21 remaining really typifies the type of goaltender he is. Fifteen seconds afterwards, Richards had a great chance to equalise but didn’t get everything on the shot and Miller was able to slide his stick back to block it. A helmetless JVR would have the final chance of the night on a rebound right in front of the net but Miller preserved his shutout. Final chances for the third were 6-5 to the Flyers.

The Flyers had a 26-18 in chances overall, 20-12 at even strength, and generated five chances on the powerplay and allowing six chances on the penalty kill.

Dave Oleksy at Die By the Blade should have his results up at some stage, and it will be interesting to compare the recording differences. I have a feeling that I may be too generous, so it will be my off-season homework to try and improve tracking chances.

What is a scoring chance? A scoring chance is defined as a clear play directed toward the opposing net from a dangerous scoring area — loosely defined as the top of the circle in and inside the faceoff dots, though sometimes slightly more generous than that depending on the amount of immediately-preceding puck movement or screens in front of the net.

Blocked shots are generally not included but missed shots are. A player is awarded a scoring chance anytime he is on the ice and someone from either team has a chance to score. He is awarded a “chance for” if someone on his team has a chance to score and a “chance against” if the opposing team has a chance to score.

Thanks to Vic Ferrari’s script for allowing this to happen.

Scoring Chances for NHL Game Number 30124/ ECQF Game 4

• Timonen (+7) and Coburn (+9) were the best defenders. In most of the games I have recorded so far, Carle has been the best defender but was only even for this game. The faceoff numbers show that Coburn and Kimmo were used in much more offensive roles. This seems like a strange strategy to me, as those two have been used as the shutdown pair all season, and Carle, Mez or Syvret are more suited to an offensive role.
  It will be blatantly obvious to everyone who watched the game, but JVR was an absolute beast finishing +8. He deserved a goal, and it was only Ryan Miller being Ryan Miller that he was denied. /