Welcome to the first edition of “By The Numbers” for 613 Sports. I am a “numbers guy”, but I know that most people aren’t. However, numbers can tell you so much. Therefore, I will be attempting to share some of my insights and observations while making it as interesting as possible.
The goal is to post every Sunday with most of the content based on Ottawa’s sports teams. However, I will also include thoughts on some of the most newsworthy stories from the world of sports. With all that being said, I hope you enjoy this week’s edition of By The Numbers.
2.60…
This number represents the Goals Per Game (GPG) allowed by the Ottawa Senators since the team hit “rock bottom” eight games ago in a 6-2 loss to the (then) lowly Vancouver Canucks. This is a significant improvement by 1.35 GPG when compared to the Sens first 20 games. Up until then, they were allowing almost four goals per game (3.95). Credit this to more structure in their own zone and a number of notable personnel decisions on the back end, including the decision to place Michael Del Zotto on waivers.
100…
The Sens game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, December 18, was the 100th time these two teams have faced each other since rejoining the National Hockey League (NHL) in the early 1990’s. Here is how the Sens have fared against the team from the “city of brotherly love”:
- 42 wins
- 44 losses
- 8 ties (yes, ties used to be a thing in the NHL!)
- 6 OT losses (includes Saturday’s game)
69…
I was reluctant to use this one because I know where some of your minds will go! However, this number represents how quirky this years Ottawa Senators can be. Sixty-nine (69) represents the “points percentage” of teams the Sens have beaten so far this season, which includes:
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dallas Stars (2)
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Colorado Avalanche
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- New Jersey Devils
- Florida Panthers
This is a very impressive list, which gives Sens fans hope for what could be in store for them in the future.
1,684…
Is the total number of games Paul Maurice has been a Head Coach in the National Hockey League after gracefully stepping down from the Winnipeg Jets recently. Maurice has also coached the Carolina Hurricanes (twice) and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately for him, he holds the distinction of having coached the most number of NHL games without winning a Stanley Cup. Maurice’s polar opposite is George O’Donoghue, who has coached the fewest number of games while winning a Stanley Cup. O’Donoghue only coached 29 NHL games for the Toronto St-Patricks in 1921/22.
5…
Although this is a relatively small number, it is rather big in the context of the number of games played by Thomas Chabot logging over 30 minutes of ice time. He put in a staggering 35:39 last night against the Philadelphia Flyers, which also included overtime. This was the second game in a row that Chabot eclipsed the 30 minute mark, and the third time in the teams last five games. Statistically speaking, Chabot has not done well in those games, tallying only 2 assists and earning a plus/minus of -7. This leaves you wondering if Chabot is being overused by Sens Head Coach, DJ Smith?
I welcome your thoughts on any of the insights above, so please leave your comments below. Also, follow me on Twitter (@SensStuff) for more Sens related content between articles.
Absolutely think Chabot is overplayed, last night’s game showed that. Of course it doesn’t help with weak Ds and now Zaitsev’s injury.
Agreed! He is much more effective playing between 20-25 minutes a game.
Yes, dont think it is good for his confidence either, very important at this stage of his career