For example, we’ve liked Marcus (Pettersson) and (Erik Gudbranson) together. “We’ve liked some of the pairs that we’ve had together since we’ve acquired some players. “I think the decision we have to make is what are the best pairs that complement the group,” Sullivan said. Perhaps you read head coach Mike Sullivan’s response yesterday in the same way I do: As a whole, the Penguins puck movement from the blue line crew has been worlds better since everyone got to their natural side. Johnson occasionally activates more competently on the left side, too.Īnd Zach Trotman on the right side in Kris Letang’s absence has provided the Penguins with a steady pairing and puck movement. More specifically, Jack Johnson on his left side provides a complete game with physicality, puck movement, and defensive zone presence on the left side. Most notably, the Penguins realized how important the righty-lefty split is despite lip-service eschewing it for most of the season. They acquired Erik Gudbranson from the Vancouver Canucks, who promptly changed the dynamic with Tom Wilson in the Penguins last meeting with the Washington Capitals. They could be–and probably should be–18-4-0 in those games. If the Blackhawks keep him after this offseason and opt to not buy out his contract ($4.083 million per season until 2022), Maatta should have a good amount of tread left on his tires.The Penguins are 14-4-4 in their last 22 games. 15, Maatta was the second youngest Blackhawks defenseman at 25 (he turns 26 on Saturday). That was down from 18:25 in the regular season but put him in the top four ( Erik Gustafsson averaged more with 20:39).īesides Adam Boqvist, who turned 20 on Aug. He averaged 18:17, seventh on the team overall. Maatta also played the fourth-most average minutes per game on the blue line this postseason. Perhaps it’s not surprising he was the Blackhawks best defenseman in the postseason. That was the third-best mark on the team after Jonathan Toews (11.2) and Dominik Kubalik (10.4). This comes on the heels of Maatta’s regular-season performance when he had the best goals above replacement among Blackhawks defenders with 6.7. The other Blackhawks to accomplish the feat were David Kampf and Koekkoek. He had a 16.8 net shot share, 14.8 net expected goal share and 15.03 net high-danger share. He had a 43.78 CF%, but that was better than his 29.41 ozs% (so a net 14.37 CF%). Maatta also did something few Blackhawks players did: all of his possession stats at five-on-five were above his offensive zone start percentage. And Maatta blocked the second-most shots per 60 with 8.02. He and Koekkoek allowed the fewest giveaways among defensemen (Koekkoek had 2.03, Maatta 2.19). His 1.82 primary points per 60 was fifth. His 1.09 goals per 60 was fourth on the team. They were on ice for nine for, and Maatta was a big factor in that scoring - all of his points came at five-on-five.Ĭhoose a stat from this postseason and on the Blackhawks’ roster Maatta is near the top. They allowed only four goals against in 109:45 of five-on-five time. They also had a 69.23-percent goal share. That means Maatta and Koekkoek were net positives in moving the puck. Their possession stats were all well above their 30.77 offensive zone start percentage (41.08-percent Corsi, 44-percent shot share, 41.9-percent expected goal share). Maatta, in addition to scoring the most points on the blue line, formed the best pairing with Koekkoek. #Blackhawks /K4InsM0a3B- Brandon Cain August 1, 2020
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