Top 10 Unique Statistics for 2014-15

Tom Collins

2015-04-20

AlexOvechkin

 

The 10 most interesting and unique stats of the 2014-15 NHL season

 

 

Now that season is over, it's a good time to look back and examine some of the numbers that may have impacted our fantasy seasons.

While it's great that Alexander Ovechkin scored 53 goals, or that Marc-Andre Fleury got 10 shutouts, what about the statistics that we didn't see coming? What about those things that happen only once every decade or so?

The amount of losses by Mike Smith this season, becoming only the eighth goalie in NHL history to lose 40-plus games in one season. There's a saying in baseball that you have to be an excellent pitcher to lose 20 games in a season. Unfortunately for Smith, the same sentiment doesn't translate to hockey. The last goalie to lose 40 games in a year was Marc Denis with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2002-03. Before that, it was Craig Billington in 1993-94 and Peter Sidorkiewicz in 1992-93, both with the expansion Ottawa Senators. Before that, it was Gary Smith in 1971-72 with the California Golden Seals. Those goalies were playing on bad teams, so they have an excuse. Smith doesn't.  

5. 283

This is the number of blocked shots Kris Russell had this season, a new NHL record and 74 more than the guy in second place. Back on March 5, he also put up 15 in a game, an NHL record. Russell has been invaluable in leagues that include blocked shots, and with a cap hit of just $2.6 million, is well worth the money in cap leagues as well.  In total, three defencemen had at least 200 blocked shots.

 

4. 306 and 192

Remember when the Caps gave Brooks Orpik that silly contract a year ago, and everyone laughed? No one is laughing now, especially poolies. He was third in the league in hits and fourth in blocked shots. Orpik was the best player when it came to combined hits (306) and blocked shots (192), getting almost 500 between the two categories.  The next closest that I can tell was Matt Martin, who had 418 combined, but just 36 blocked shots. The fact that Orpik is so effective in both categories makes him a must-own defencemen that count them.

 

3. 87

Total points of the Art Ross leader, Jamie Benn. Benn's 1.06 points-per-game is also the lowest points-per-game total of any Art Ross trophy winner since Elmer Lach with Montreal back in 1947-48. It's also showing the parity in the league, and may have a big impact on drafts next year. There were 19 players within 17 points of the league lead. So next year, why waste a high pick on someone like John Tavares when you can get a top goalie and take a forward in the second or third round that will get almost as many points. Another amazing thing about Benn winning the Art Ross is that he wasn't a great power play guy this season, with just 10 power play goals and 23 points. The 23 points is the lowest of any Art Ross trophy winner since before the 1997-98 season.

 

2. .933 and 1.96

Carey Price's save percentage and goals against average this season. This may have settled the Rask vs Price debate for at least a few years. You drafted Price, you cleaned up on your goalie categories pretty easily (unless you also had Mike Smith on your squad). Price is the first goalie in NHL history to win at least 40 games and have a save percentage north of .930 and a GAA south of 2.00. With this run he's been on since the Olympics last year, and the parity for points among forwards, Price may be a top-five pick in drafts next season.

 

1. 25

It's amazing how effective Alexander Ovechkin can be on the power play. Even though every team knows he's playing the full two minutes, barely moving from his spot and waiting for the one timer, he still managed 25 goals with the man advantage, the first time that's been accomplished since Teemu Selanne did it in 2006-07. Ovi is the 17th player to ever accomplish that feat, and is just another reason why Ovi is the top choice in leagues that count more than just points. 

 

 

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