Again? Okay then! Another Central Division opponent rolls into Sunrise tonight, let’s see how this is going to shake out.
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G56 /] [table id=IS02G56 /] [table id=GM02G56 /]* – Stats are courtesy of War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G56 /] [table id=PD02G52 /] [table id=PG02G34 /] [table id=OF02G56 /] [table id=OD02G56 /] [table id=OG02G56 /]The Hat Trick
Just Keep Shooting: We’ve been harping on it all year: Florida’s biggest struggle is not their lack of a proven thirty goal scorer (come on, y’all, stop with that) or their anemic power play — it’s their shot generation. My pal Micah (@IneffectiveMath) brings us some positive news on that front:
Unblocked shot rates. pic.twitter.com/zhIuyUiXLs
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 12, 2016
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Here’s how to read that, quickly: up is good and to the right is good. Florida’s improving beautifully — and promisingly, Nashville is plummeting down and to the left.
All-Star Goaltending? While he got pulled last night, that wasn’t his fault and we all know what Roberto Luongo is capable of. Nashville hasn’t announced a starter, but Pekka Rinne played last night, which should mean we see Carter Hutton tonight, and that’s a lot less of a good thing than I’m used to. Rinne has been awful this season, contributing more to Nashville’s losses than their wins this year. Luckily, Hutton may be doing well, but he’s a league average goaltender at best, so Florida is in good shape no matter who shows up in the opponents net — as long as they get to it.
Bjugstad Shoots, He’ll Eventually Score: Nick Bjugstad has gone from conquering hero to seemingly everyone’s favorite punching bag since his return from battling with migraines. The lack of goals from such a talented shooter is definitely worrying — but he’s doing everything right. Fans simply aren’t used to a cold stretch from Bjugstad. His shot total hasn’t slowed down at all, just the conversion rate — and that happens! Give him time and he’ll get back to it, just like Huberdeau did after not scoring goals at all to start this season … and like Bjugstad did at the start of last season.
Closing Thoughts
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