Daniel Alfredsson

Poolies are always looking for an edge and in rotisserie leagues where there are often tough decisions over which players to dress and which ones to sit, finding that edge could mean a big difference in points at the end of the year.

(Published by The Hockey News January 14)

There are some players who, for one reason or another, produce at a much higher level when they are on the road versus when they are at home – and vice versa. By taking a look at the top 50 NHL scorers heading into Sunday’s action, there are several players who jump out in both categories.

By far the biggest margin in terms of production is Boston’s Marc Savard. With 32 points in 22 games on the road, his numbers are elite. At home, within the confines of the TD Banknorth Garden, Savard has 15 points in 22 contests. This contrast is very significant, not to mention highly unexpected when you consider Savard was marginally more productive at home in 2006-07.

If you own Savard and Colorado center Paul Stastny and you occasionally have to decide between the two, look where their teams are playing. If both are on the road then the call is an easy one – Savard’s numbers are very strong. If both are playing at home, Stastny is the way to go because his numbers are the mirror image of Savard’s.

Stastny has 31 of his points in 22 home games, while in 22 road games he has managed just 15. The difference is very substantial. Ottawa star Daniel Alfredsson is similar to Stastny, with 38 home points and just over half of that – 20 – away from Scotiabank Place.

Below is a chart that outlines the biggest differentials among the Top 50 scorers:

ROAD WARRIORS
Player	Team	HmGP	HmP	PPG	RdGP	RdP	PPG	Diff
Marc Savard	BOS	21	15	0.7	22	32	1.5	0.74
Ilya Kovalchuk	ATL	24	27	1.1	22	35	1.6	0.47
Tomas Plekanec	MTL	20	13	0.7	24	25	1.0	0.39
Jarome Iginla	CGY	25	29	1.2	20	31	1.6	0.39
Brian Rafalski	DET	23	15	0.7	23	23	1.0	0.35
Kristian Huselius	CGY	25	23	0.9	20	24	1.2	0.28
Vaclav Prospal	TBL	23	20	0.9	22	25	1.1	0.27
Ray Whitney	CAR	20	17	0.9	24	26	1.1	0.23
Pavel Datsyuk	DET	23	25	1.1	23	30	1.3	0.22
Joe Thornton	SJS	22	24	1.1	21	27	1.3	0.19

HOMETOWN HEROES
Player	Team	HmGP	HmP	PPG	RdGP	RdP	PPG	Diff
Paul Stastny	COL	22	31	1.4	22	15	0.7	-0.73
Daniel Alfredsson	OTT	22	38	1.7	20	20	1.0	-0.73
Mats Sundin	TOR	21	30	1.4	24	19	0.8	-0.64
Patrick Kane	CHI	25	29	1.2	19	10	0.5	-0.63
Vincent Lecavalier	TBL	23	39	1.7	22	24	1.1	-0.60
Olli Jokinen	FLA	22	27	1.2	23	15	0.7	-0.58
Mike Richards	PHI	18	26	1.4	24	21	0.9	-0.57
Martin St. Louis	TBL	23	33	1.4	22	20	0.9	-0.53
Marian Gaborik	MIN	19	27	1.4	20	18	0.9	-0.52
Henrik Sedin	VAN	22	27	1.2	22	16	0.7	-0.50