Planet Habs

posted by Chris Aung-Thwin at 2h44 EST on Mar 27


Tom Kostopolous earns some PIM. REUTERS/CJ Gunther (UNITED STATES)Tom Kostopolous earns some PIM. REUTERS/CJ Gunther (UNITED STATES)There has been much debate about how the Habs have managed to clinch a playoff spot and set the pace in the Eastern Conference. Some say it’s all because of Kovalev; others give credit to the powerplay (which is, as of this writing, still first in the NHL at 24.2%); some think that the young guns, like the Kostitsyns, are the driving force behind the Habs unexpected success this year.

Personally, I think it’s because the planets are aligning.



Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find (yet) any astronomical ‘stats’ to prove me right, but I did stumble upon some interesting hockey numbers which show that the Habs are aligning divinely on the ice.

…

Alex Kovalev is having the second best season (statistically) of his career. In 77 games, he has 33G-46A-79P. AK-27 had his best year in 2000-01 when he had totals of 44G-51A-95P. His +17 plus-minus rating this season is one off of his +18 way back in 1993-94. His 16 powerplay goals are a career high.

Both Mike Komisarek and Francis Bouillon each currently have career best plus-minus ratings of +9. As guys who don’t make it onto the scoreboard very often, this is a very impressive number. Komisaurus still leads the league in blocked shots with 227, and is 2nd in hits with 266.

Andrei Markov’s appearance in 77 games this season is two off of his career high of 79 games played in 2002-03. He has set new career bests in goals (16) and points (57). If the Habs manage, however, to lock up first place in the Northeast Division, it might be wise to give Markov some time off considering his history of back problems. He is averaging 24:58 minutes/game (16th – NHL) and the Habs will need him healthy and rested for the playoffs.

Tomas Plekanec is having a career season in every category.

Christopher Higgins is 3 games off of his career high of 80 games played which was set in his 2005-06 - his rookie year. His 25 assists and 48 points are career bests.

Both Saku Koivu and Tom Kostopolous have set personal highs for PIM with 94 and 109, respectively.

Andrei Kostitsyn, who has 25G-26A-51P and is +13, has a shot percentage of 17.01%, which is above his average (in Hamilton and Montreal) of 14.43%. Little brother, Sergei, has a shot percentage of 21.43%.

Josh Gorges has set career highs in assists (9) and points (9), and can match his career best in goals with his next tally.

Maxim Lapierre is having a career year in all categories. His biggest feat is his turn around from a -7 plus-minus rating last year, to a +6 this year.

Roman Hamrlik is having a career season in fan appreciation.


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smart42's picture
Submitted by smart42 on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 20:51.
Hey Aung-Thwin If you don't have any new blog threads....with the Habs FIRST IN THE FRIGGIN CONFERENCE, and about to have their way with Chara and 'Lil Timmy Thomas...well then you sir, are not half the fan your web face says you are. Post or perish, yes, the web is as cruel as university; perhaps more so, we rabid bloggers are instant, live, obtuse and anonymous. Some of us luddites even type with our elbows on Commador 64's with 10" green screens, but we are passionate about the game man. We are like tapeworms, insatiable and constantly craving more. Feed us our Hab food before you feed yourself, it is the only way you can survive.

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 16:58.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, Is he even stil lwith H/IO? If it wasn't for him posting a message about the hockey pool, I'd never know. If he is getting paid for this..............he's one lucky dude. LOL Man I'm harsh. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 17:40.
How do you add your picture on here?

The Teacher's picture
Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 20:27.
Click on your name inside the red highlight. It should read" You are logged in as Habsgirl. You can change your profile or log out" Go to edit when you click on "change your profile" "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."

Sakus Evil Twin's picture
Submitted by Sakus Evil Twin on Wed, 04/02/2008 - 13:27.
Good stats Chris... there are a bunch of other well documented intangeables, such as depth of system, able bodies pressboxers who can get the job done, defensive forwards and forward defenseman (Streit, Dandy,)... I believe! *kaboom* (head explodes).

Chorske's picture
Submitted by Chorske on Wed, 04/02/2008 - 01:44.
What's all the more impressive about Plekanec's and Kovalev's numbers is that Pleks has been on a major scoring funk since his bout with the flu (always that damn flu). Imagine Kovy and Pleks numbers if Pleks doesnt get sick....

smart42's picture
Submitted by smart42 on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 22:14.
100 points. 'nuff said. The stars are aligning.

zamboni's picture
Submitted by zamboni on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 17:43.
Let's not also forget Streit's contribution this year. the guy quietly passed Markov, and he's our 3rd best point getter so far this year.

smart42's picture
Submitted by smart42 on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 23:23.
Saturday at 8pm we are shutting off all the lights and listening to the game on a wind up radio. With the city all black, I bet dollars to donuts, we will be able to see a CH constellation in the sky. That Chris, is the sure sign that the stars are aligning.

Batalla's picture
Submitted by Batalla on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 10:49.
I liked the other stat from the "Game 78" page about Ryder having more even-strength goals this year than last year. So even though he's *way* down in overall goals, he's up in at least *that* category. Also, his plus/minus compared to last years is *miles* better.

NoTinFoilCups's picture
Submitted by NoTinFoilCups on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 16:32.
Another obvious reason for his diminished production is his cutback in powerplay time.

Chuck V.'s picture
Submitted by Chuck V. on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 07:54.
All good stats but I don't know why you're giving credit to Saku for having a high PIM total. Not to open up Pandora's Box or anything (for the record I'm a huge Saku fan not a basher), but we all know that 90% of that PIM comes for offensive zone hooking

Chris Aung-Thwin's picture
Submitted by Chris Aung-Thwin on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 12:04.
I wasn't trying to giving Saku credit, I thought that it was telling that he and Kostopolous were both having "career" seasons for PIM. Given their respective roles, we expect that from Kostopolous, not Koivu. Besides his PIM, none of Koivu's numbers really stand out this season.

Chuck V.'s picture
Submitted by Chuck V. on Sun, 03/30/2008 - 16:38.
Chris, Fair enough. Regardless it's an interesting stat for sure and thanks for pointing it out. I wonder if this is something Gainey or Carbo will talk to him about in the off-season. I love Saku and what he brings to the team, but it's becoming increasingly clear that he's not going to get free passes for anything he does as he's no longer our only offensive threat.

Submitted by Xtanstic on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 02:13.
"it might be wise to give Markov some time off considering his history of back problems" Erm. What? There has been no indication that he's been playing hurt, at all.

Chris Aung-Thwin's picture
Submitted by Chris Aung-Thwin on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 11:59.
You're right - Markov (as far as I know) isn't hurt. He has, however, had problems with his back over the past couple seasons and I'm just a little worried that if he does surpass his career high for games played, fatigue might become an issue. Back injuries can be very nagging and re-occur at any time.

doug's picture
Submitted by doug on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 22:01.
nice to see gorges just one goal off his career high. . . he's worked hard all year and it's nice to see that. even if he has zero goals.

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 12:52.
LOL love the last line about Hammer. Ex nihilo nihil fit

Sbah Reverof's picture
Submitted by Sbah Reverof on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 10:53.
After reading Carbo's interview last night, I realised how much time was invested in making this team gel as a unit, and prepare the guys mentally each and every day. He has had a game plan all year, and he is a little less surprised than all of us that his plan has worked better than expected. Kudos to the coach. All the players you mentioned are the backbone of this team, and they should all be given every chance to remain with this organisation for years to come.

24 Cups's picture
Submitted by 24 Cups on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 08:38.
Chris - I know it's a little early to be looking ahead to next year but I wonder if this is just a one year astronomical blib or the building of a strong foundation that will last for a few years? Personally, I feel it's the latter. All of the players you have mentioned will be back next year (Gainey will sign his RFA's). Many of these players are just entering their prime and others such as Kovalev and Koivu will be playing for their next big contract (motivational). I also see no reason why Hamrlik shouldn't be able to excel in his second year. Throw in maturing young players such as Price, Halak, Chipchura, Lats, and O'Byrne and we're in great shape. The Cup, the final frontier, to go where no Hab has gone before (or at least since 1993). The Original 24 Cups

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 07:24.
The lack of a major injury and the rolling of 4 lines and 3 "D" pairings with depth and versatility and the maturing of their coach have to come into play on this well balanced team with a winning attitude.