Comments on: Is Mathieu Perreault A Clutch Player?

By: B8ovin

B8ovin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:16:04 +0000

As a LONG time hockey fan I have seen a huge influx of stat crunching in the last five years. I suppose some of it is the result of the internet allowing the discussion of more information, and some is the result of the growth in “fantasy” sports. It has always baffled me, however as one of the reasons I watch sports in the first place is for the drama of the unexpected. I keep seeing these numbers and equations and, particularly as a Caps fan, I keep seeing things like the first round loss to the Habs last year, or the game 7 the year before, when stats would have suggested a much closer game.

I have a theory about Perreault of my own. We Caps fans like the underdog, particularly when they live up to the “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, etc.” adage. Perreault has the counter-intelligent intangibles that endear him. He’s undersized, quick and, I’m told by my daughter, cute. Forgetting the cute part, I used to feel the same way about Metropolit, particularly given his background. Sometimes it’s not about whether a player is expected to succeed, and more about wanting success for that player.

(Please don’t interpret this as an indictment on the New Stats movement. I think it’s great, for those who enjoy it. I’m not a numbers guy, but I appreciate the time people put into it.)

By: Russian Machine Never Breaks

Russian Machine Never Breaks — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:49:07 +0000

@cajuncook It’s a smallER sample size than I would like, sure, but if we have over 100 CORSI events it’s not disastrous.

The main problem to me is not so much sample size but repeatability. That’s the only way to see if “ability to perform under pressure” exists and not attribute it to just random luck like shooting %.

I am in no way a Matty P apologist, but I think his performance for a back-to-back Calder Cup champ gives him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to playing in “clutch” (or pressure) situations.

-Neil

By: Pat

Pat — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:32:57 +0000

I think i’d rather see Brooksie play 2nd line center, perry can play 3rd!

By: cajuncook

cajuncook — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:40:44 +0000

Uh… small sample size much?

By: Is Mathieu Perreault A Clutch Player? « GlobalCapsFans

Is Mathieu Perreault A Clutch Player? « GlobalCapsFans — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:53:44 +0000

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By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:04:55 +0000

MP might not be the ideal 2C, but I think he deserves a shot. He has the talent to make it there, and I believe he would be a better fit than Flash. Last season, he mainly played on the 3rd line, and he could likely be more productive on a higher line.