Comments on: Are Defensive-Minded Teams More Successful in the Playoffs?

By: Chris (VaMedic)

Chris (VaMedic) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:58:04 +0000

I think Andrew raises a good point (VT reference in his name aside). If the label “O-fensive” or “defensive” were assigned based on regular season data, I would be interested to see if that label still applied using only post-season data, and if the post-season matchups seen with the ‘post season’ label had a different win percentage.

By: Tattooed Enigma

Tattooed Enigma — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:43:37 +0000

After looking at the article and everyone’s comments it makes me remember back to the days of Old Time Hockey (I’ve been around hockey since the mid to late 80’s) when defense was the most important reason for winning championships. Look at the Devils, Red Wings, Avalanche, and Flyers. For years, almost an entire decade dating from 1994-95 to 2003-04, these four teams were always considered the top 4 teams because they knew the balance of a solid defense with balanced scoring. And a side note 3 of the 4 teams won Stanley Cups (NJ 3, COL 2, DET 3). I like the system, and I am liking what I am seeing on the ice. Yes the loses are aggravating but remember, when the Caps went to the Finals in 1998 they were 4th in the East.

By: Tattoed Enigma

Tattoed Enigma — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:41:43 +0000

After looking at the article and everyone’s comments it makes me remember back to the days of Old Time Hockey (I’ve been around hockey since the mid to late 80′s) when defense was the most important reason for winning championships. Look at the Devils, Red Wings, Avalanche, and Flyers. For years, almost an entire decade dating from 1994-95 to 2003-04, these four teams were always considered the top 4 teams because they knew the balance of a solid defense with balanced scoring. And a side note 3 of the 4 teams won Stanley Cups (NJ 3, COL 2, DET 3). I like the system, and I am liking what I am seeing on the ice. Yes the loses are aggravating but remember, when the Caps went to the Finals in 1998 they were 4th in the East.

By: deann

deann — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:41:08 +0000

Sonja, I am in complete agreement with you. Especially you agreeing with me.

By: Joel

Joel — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:42:32 +0000

Defensive intensity tends to step up during playoff time. Given how good the Caps are at it now, I think that they can be positively dominant on defence during the playoffs. Scary dominant.

I think we have a good chance at Halaking a team. I hope the Caps can rely on more than luck and good defence in the playoffs, but I see us doing quite well if we win the division.

By: sonja

sonja — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:10:54 +0000

“And a pet peeve of mine: the constant shuffling of lines that Boudreau does even when they are working.”

I think that there can be a balance struck between offense and defense, as Deann notes … where crashing the net and digging the corners gets rewarded with some goals. That’s not happening with enough regularity at the moment.

Just playing defense isn’t going to win any games, either in regular season or post-season. Just like a goalie can’t win a game for you. He can save a game, but he can’t (statistically speaking) score any goals. It’s not reasonable to anticipate that this new system is going to win in the post-season … although it might make losing more palatable.

Deann, I completely agree with you about the line bobbling. It’s making me crazy. I think a large part of this team’s problems may be traced to a lack of line chemistry that has not been allowed to develop. While I don’t think lines should be allowed to set in stone, neither should they be so ephemeral as they’ve become this season. It makes play development very difficult.

By: deann

deann — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:33:38 +0000

Neil, I love your statistical analyses. I wish I were that brilliant! In my mind, the Caps defensive prowess this year will only help them in the playoffs.

For all the talk about “go back to the old system” of scoring offense, I just don’t believe the “old system” will work for us anymore. We were still using the “old system” last year in the playoffs right?

Teams know how to take time and space away from us. So while people love to blame the “defense minded” style we are playing, in my mind, the reason why our offense isn’t successful is we still think we can get in those pretty shots from the perimeter. Games where we crash the net and dig in the corners are where we have the most success.

And a pet peeve of mine: the constant shuffling of lines that Boudreau does even when they are working.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:22:17 +0000

I think teams change their mentality come playoff time, teams that are “offensive” in the regular season buckle down and play less risky come playoffs. I think the Red Wings would absolutely fit that model, and we all know how successful they’ve been. I think this caps team is better fit for the playoffs than last years team. Last year, they were frustrated as soon as they couldn’t score, this year they are much more prepared for a 2-1 or 3-1 game.

twitter.com/vtcapsfan

By: Neil - RMNB

Neil - RMNB — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:23:51 +0000

@Sonja Thanks for reading! I’m saying that switching to a “defense-first” mentality does not necessarily equal playoff success – at least not when matched up with a more offensive team. Heck, it’s not even translating to better regular season success for the Caps.

By: sonja

sonja — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:15:26 +0000

Sooooo … what yer sayin’ is that this plan is gonna continue to stink up the house? Do I have that right?