NHL: Surprising stats?

Question

OK, maybe I've always known this, but never thought about it until today. Nicklas Lidstrom has never had a minus rating season! This year, at a +43 already, he is on pace for a personal best.
I know there are many of you that think the +/- stat is not an accurate gauge for a player's on ice success, but Lidstrom's numbers are even more impressive knowing that he is always playing against the other team's top lines.
What other "surprising " stats have you come across this year?

Answer 1

Mike Green (leading D-man in NHL in goals)14 goals 20 assists career season for him.

Niklas Hagaman 20 goals hes really been a large offensive force for dallas as of late. he had 17 goals all season last year.

Answer 2

It is as you said, the +/- stat is not an accurate gauge for a player's on ice success, except when compared with the rest of the team.



In Lidstrom's case, not only does he have a plus rating every year, he tends to have one of the highest +/- ratings year after year...



I'm guessing the 5 Norris Trophies though, (perhaps six at the end of this season) makes more of a comment, regarding his defensive abilities...



Why does that surprise you that Nabokov played so many games, Josh ? I thought that was more or less going to be a given, when they traded Toskala away... The only suprise there for me, is that his stats have not suffered for doing so.

Answer 3

Home Away

Montreal 12-10-5 17-7-4



San Jose 12-12-4 17-5-3



and

Phoenix 11-12-2 17-11-2



Are significantly better on the Road.... Which seems to be very uncommon.

Answer 4

A back up goaltender with a 22-4-2 record.



Nabakov has done amazing through it all, I think the next question is, how long will it last? Is he going to be too tired in the playoffs? I think a back up is a necessity for longevity. It'll be interesting to see what happens, lets stay tuned.

Answer 5

Ty Conklin's 13-3-3 record. He was a shunned goaltender known best for his screw up against Carolina while playing for Edmonton, and has played great for a Penguin team that struggles to play defense and relies heavily on goaltending to win games on a regular basis. He's been playing ridiculous, though he's cooled off lately.

Answer 6

That Evgeni Nabokov for the Sharks has played every game but one so far. The Sharks have played 53 games this season, and Nabokov has 52 starts, talk about durability and endurance.





Hockey dude- Nabokov is on pace for 81 thats what so amazing about it, and because he isn't Brodeur or Luongo, he's not use to that kind of load, especially since he always had toskala behind him.

Answer 7

Whats so amazing about a #1 goalie getting the bulk of the starts? Martin Broduer and Roberto Luongo each play atleast 75 games every year.