With the First Round playoffs series between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, let’s take a head-to-head look at the numbers for both teams.
The offense
Goals per game: Rangers 3.05 (16th) – Penguins 3.28 (11th)
Goals per games since the trade deadline: Rangers 3.42 (12th) – Penguins 3.53 (10th)
Goals 5v5 per game: Rangers 1.9 (18th) – Penguins 2.2 (11th)
Goals 5v5 per game since the trade deadline: Rangers 2.4 – Penguins 2.5
Shots per game: Rangers 29.2 (28th) -Penguins 34.7 (6th)
Shots per game since the trade deadline: Rangers 31.0 (15th) – Penguins 34.2 (10th)
There’s no mystery when it comes to offense, the Pittsburgh Penguins are superior offensively, leading in all categories. The important factor is that the two teams are very close especially since the trade deadline when the Rangers’ improved their 5v5 scoring substantially. 5v5 scoring will be an important factor in the playoffs.
The defense
Goals against game: Rangers 2.49 (2nd) – Penguins 2.71 (5th)
Shots against per game: Rangers 30.8 (11th) – Penguins 31.4 (14th)
While the Rangers’ defense were overlooked by most hockey experts, they finished second best in the NHL. Considering the Penguins’ reputation for offense, the quality of defense could be seen as a surprise. Again, the two teams are very close with the Rangers holding the slight edge.
The power play
Power play percentage: Rangers 25.2% (4th) – Penguins 20.2% (19th)
Power play opportunities: Rangers 218 (28th most) – Penguins 248 (7th most)
Average power play time per game: Rangers 4:10 (last) – Penguins 4:50 (13th)
Power play goals scored: Rangers 55 (9th most) – Penguins 50 (15th most)
Shorthanded goals allowed: Rangers 2 (1st) – Penguins 8 (23rd most)
This is an interesting category. The Rangers clearly have the superior power play, scoring 25.2% of the time. However, that is offset by the fact that only four teams had fewer power play opportunities than the Blueshirts and they spent the least amount of time per game with the man advantage.
But what good is a potent power play if you don’t draw penalties? We saw a stretch of six games in March when they had two or fewer power plays per game for seven games. They scored three goals in eight opportunities. They did win five of those six games, but needed to go to overtime to win two of them.
It is as important for the Rangers to stay out of the penalty box as it is for the Penguins. In their four games this season, the Rangers had one power play goal in six opportunities. The Penguins had twice the number of power plays with 12 and scored three times.
One more thing. Evgeni Malkin got 20 of his 42 points this season with the man advantage. He didn’t play until January 11, but with Malkin in the lineup the Pens power play improved from a success rate of 20.2% to 21.9%.
The penalty kill
Penalty kill percentage: Rangers 82.3% (7th) – Penguins 84.4% (3rd)
Times shorthanded: Rangers 226 (14th fewest) – Penguins 212 (2nd fewest)
Shorthanded time per game: Rangers 4:39 (17th fewest) – Penguins 4:15 (3rd fewest)
Power play goals scored against: Rangers 40 (6th fewest) – Penguins 33 (fewest)
Shorthanded goals scored: Rangers 8 (9th most) – Penguins 3 (28th most)
This is another category where the two teams are very comparable. Again, the Penguins are a surprise with the third best penalty kill in the NHL and they were also one of the teams that spent the least amount of time shorthanded. They are not a big threat to score shorthanded, compared to the Rangers.
The faceoff circle
Faceoff winning percentage: Rangers 48.1% (24th best) – Penguins 51.1% (11th best)
Offensive zone faceoffs: Rangers 48.8% (23rd best) – Penguins 51.2 (11th best)
Defensive zone faceoffs: Rangers 46.6% (28th best) – Penguins 51.4% (10th best)
Shorthanded faceoffs: 41.5% (29th best) – Penguins 45.2% (12th best)
Power play faceoffs: Rangers 53% (22nd best) – Penguins 58.6% (8th best)
Faceoffs won after icing the puck: Rangers 46% (20th best) – Penguins 48% (13th best)
The Rangers improved on the faceoff dots with their best winning percentage in four years. They will be hardpressed to beat the Penguins in the faceoff circle as the Pens posted their best number in eight years.
Miscellaneous stats
5 minute OT record: Rangers 14 games, 4-3 record, 7 ties – Penguins 20 games, 6-4 record, 10 ties
Record when scoring first: Rangers 34-5-2 Penguins 35-5-3
Record when trailing after 2 periods: Rangers 4-19-2 Penguins 5-21-3
Come from behind wins: Rangers 27 wins (2nd best) – Penguins 14 wins (21st best)
Offsides: Rangers 135 (3rd fewest) – Penguins 157 (8th most)
Opposition offsides: Rangers 129 (5th fewest) – Penguins 152 (18th fewest)
Icing consquences: Rangers 14 goals allowed after 315 icings – Penguins 18 goals allowed after 391 icings
Outshooting the opposition: Rangers 32 games, 20-9-3 – Penguins 50 games ,32-13-5
Summing up
When looking at the two teams statistically, they are very evenly matched. It’s one reason to discard the regular season series. This will be a close, hard fought series and goaltending will play a huge role in who win the series. With Tristan Jarry ruled out for at least the first two games, the advantage has to be in the Rangers’ favor.
There is one big edge held by the Penguins. If Justin Braun doesn’t play in Game One, that will mean that the combined Rangers lineup will have a total of 393 Stanley Cup Playoff games under their belts. The trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang has played 474 Stanley Cup Playoff games themselves.
We’ll see what happens when they drop the puck on Tuesday.
Thanks to nhl.com, statmuse.com and morehockeystats.com for the numbers!