How did the Kings and the New Jersey Devils match up statistically this season? Here’s a look at some of the major categories, both in the regular season and the playoffs…
REGULAR SEASON
Goals/game: Kings 29th (2.29), Devils 15th (2.63)
Goals against/game: Kings 2nd (2.07), Devils T-8th (2.50)
Power-play percentage: Kings T-16th (17.0), Devils T-14th (17.2)
Penalty-kill percentage: Kings 4th (87.0), Devils 1st (89.6)
Penalty minutes/game: Kings 17th (11.3), Devils T-18th (11.5)
Faceoff percentage: Kings 7th (51.6), Devils 29th (47.1)
Hits: Kings 2nd (2,274), Devils 23rd (1,677)
Blocked shots: Kings 29th (969), Devils 30th (928)
PLAYOFFS (16 teams)
Goals/game: Kings 3rd (2.93), Devils 4th (2.83)
Goals against/game: Kings 1st (1.57), Devils 8th (2.33)
Power-play percentage: Kings 15th (8.1), Devils 4th (18.2)
Penalty-kill percentage: Kings 2nd (91.2), Devils 13th (74.2)
Penalty minutes/game: Kings T-8th (14.0), Devils 5th (9.7)
Faceoff percentage: Kings 15th (48.2), Devils 16th (47.5)
Hits: Kings 4th (509), Devils 3rd (534)
Blocked shots: Kings 5th (197), Devils 4th (203)
One interesting thing about these stats that jumped out at me was that the Kings and Devils were the worst at blocking shots during the regular season but are near the top during the playoffs. Really illustrates the intensity and the drive that the playoffs bring to players and teams.
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CL Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
@Krusher, It’s nice to see that they also found a team worse at taking postseason face-offs than they are…
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Thornhart Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@Krusher,
That stat has been a bit skewed… Might have to do something with playing three rounds. I’d like to see the stats averages per game
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PRMan Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@Thornhart, You are correct sir:
1 WASHINGTON 14 308 22
2 NY RANGERS 20 365 18.25
3 ST LOUIS 9 163 18.11111111
4 PHILADELPHIA 11 193 17.54545455
5 PHOENIX 16 275 17.1875
6 VANCOUVER 5 77 15.4
7 NASHVILLE 10 152 15.2
8 SAN JOSE 5 73 14.6
9 LOS ANGELES 14 197 14.07142857
10 PITTSBURGH 6 81 13.5
11 BOSTON 7 92 13.14285714
12 FLORIDA 7 85 12.14285714
13 DETROIT 5 60 12
14 OTTAWA 7 80 11.42857143
15 NEW JERSEY 18 203 11.27777778
16 CHICAGO 6 67 11.16666667
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PRMan Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@Thornhart, Hits:
1 BOSTON 7 276 39.42857143
2 FLORIDA 7 262 37.42857143
3 LOS ANGELES 14 509 36.35714286
4 PHOENIX 16 581 36.3125
5 NY RANGERS 20 665 33.25
6 PITTSBURGH 6 198 33
7 WASHINGTON 14 454 32.42857143
8 OTTAWA 7 223 31.85714286
9 VANCOUVER 5 158 31.6
10 PHILADELPHIA 11 346 31.45454545
11 CHICAGO 6 181 30.16666667
12 NEW JERSEY 18 534 29.66666667
13 ST LOUIS 9 264 29.33333333
14 SAN JOSE 5 136 27.2
15 NASHVILLE 10 260 26
16 DETROIT 5 115 23
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Thornhart Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@PRMan,
Great work!! If I at home and weren’t posting from my iPhone, I would have calc the %ages myself but Kodos to you sir!!
luc20rules Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 11:59 pm
@Krusher, Some of the Playoff #s are very misleading since Kings played 14 games and NJ 18 games, if the stats are not percentages or per game. Like the hits catagory Kings (509 s/b 36.36 hits/game) NJ (534 s/b 29.67 hits/game) and blocked shots Kings (197 s/b 14.07/game) NJ (203 s/b 11.28/game). The Kings are actually better per game in each stat.
Go Kings Go!
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Thanks Rich for this. Interesting.
Interesting that the kings and devils were the 2 worst teams in the NHL in blocking shots…..I guess blocking shots like the Rangers may be overrated.
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Looks like PK and PP will be very important. I hope Kings start scoring on PP.
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
@Agame, If the Kings PP starts clicking then LA wins this one hands down. If not, then it’ll take some more work… Of course we’ll still win
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If the Kings continue to do what they did against Vancouver, St. Louis and Phoenix, then, this could be a short series. L.A. is more physical, their defense is better, they’ll get the timely goals and our goalie is on the rise. Brodeur will pass the torch as one very good goalie with an impressive history to a goalie that is continuing to make history.
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PRMan Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@deepsea_drumz, NJ has a small defense. LA has a big offense. I sense a mismatch…
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rontheking Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@deepsea_drumz,
I think Brodeur is living off of experience and early positioning. When it comes to reacting, he is just way too slow at his age. The Kings are going to feast off of his bedeviled carcass….
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number 6 Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@deepsea_drumz,
I think it’s wishful thinking to expect this to be a short series. That can be dangerous thinking. The Devils are playing really really well and will be tough. They have a history of winning cups. Being a Kings fan I’m sure you know that we don’t. They also have a goalie who has done it three times and been in four finals. They are also deep and rolling four lines s(that have all been productive) and three pairs of dmen.
So to expect the Kings to run thru them like they did St. Louis or Vancouver is probably wishful thinking.
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JohnD Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@number 6, “dangerous thinking” only applies to kings players and coaches. Our opinions make no difference as to the outcome.
I think the devils only hope is someone catches fire. Otherwise, the kings will over power them!
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Martin Brodeur admitted that the Devils don’t block a lot of shots like the Rangers, so we just need to create traffic in front of him and have a lot of shoots come from the point. I like our chances against this team and our size will definitely wear down the soft D the devils have.
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Mars Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@Marbles, I agree, we need to make them scramble and put on immense pressure. Penner needs to get up front and be quick and sharp.
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Can i be scared yet? still believe but the stats scare me D:
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Business Time Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@Kings Fan In Temecula,
I’m definitely scared. But it’s mostly because I’ve grown accustomed to disappointment as a Kings fan. It has nothing to do with the stats. Based on these postseason stats, the Kings look like the favorites.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@Business Time, maybe thats it lol
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Mars Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@Business Time, What you speak of also linger in the back of my mind. but this post season is showing us what we are capable of. My worries are fading. They are still there, but at the point of being normal doubt not doubt of season past. My confidence is high.
I am at the point of resolve, either way, I am proud of my team and know going forward, we are a force to be feared. I am happy.
Come to think of it, I should have been last year. We beat the Bruins at home. And they won the cup. That then and there should have been prepping us for things to come. We just were to wrapped up in the moment to see what greatness was coming.
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The Hits and Blocked Shots stats are skewed – the Devils have played more games. A better comparison is per-game:
Hits: Kings 509 / 14 = 36.36/gm | Devils 534 / 18 = 29.67/gm
Blocked Shots: Kings 197 / 14 = 14.07 | Devils 203 / 18 = 11.28
I’ll let Rich figure out where these rank in the playoffs.
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For the hits and blocked shots stats, the Kings have played 3 few games…
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I know this might be a little irrelevant, but take a quick look! i was trying to figure out what made this years playoff team so different than the past two. here’s a list of players who have played for the kings in the playoff the in the last two years who either left via frree agency or trade. the other list is additions from the AHL, trades and free ageny in the past two years
Subtractions in 11’ and 12’
Jack Johnson
Wayne Simmonds
Micheal Handzues
Ryan Smyth
Alexei Ponikarovsky
Alexander Frolov
Fredrick Modin
Jeff Halpern
Randy Jones
Sean O’Donnell
Peter Harrold
Ratis Ivanans
Marco Sturm
Rich Clune
Additions in 11’ and 12’
Willie Mitchell
Slava Voynov
Alec Martinez
Dustin Penner
Mike Richards
Jeff Carter
Kyle Clifford
Trevor Lewis
Dwight King
Jordan Nolan
Colin Fraser
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rumpa#19 Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
@bob, Simple and sweet. all of the additions in very close to that order too. Harry is the only one thats playing still at a very high level, and good for him to come this far. Poni has been alright.
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rontheking Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@rumpa#19,
Important to note that there were tangible reasons why Harrold and Poni became expendable (as well as JMFJ). The fact that they were able to find new homes with NJ does not speak well for the Devils’ depth by comparison….
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paige Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
@rumpa#19, Great list, but I would add that Simmonds (as much as he made me mad in his comments about LA on 24/7) had a great year. The list of subtractions has some strong players, but it’s also riddled with players who made you want to scratch your eyes out because of their inconsistency, or they just made you sure the other team would score the second they set foot on the ice (Jones).
Whereas the list of additions includes a ton of players with grit and determination – the kind of players who force turnovers.
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FiG17 Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@bob,
On top of that there’s Sutter/Murray, and a few intangible differences…
Kopitar’s a different player than he was in 2010
Brown’s a different player
Doughty’s a different player
Quick’s a different player.
Our core guys have matured and are coming in to their own. That makes a huge difference.
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Pili Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@FiG17, Very good point.
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They are known to get goals on the PK also. Alot of similaritys here.
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What’s interesting to me, is how Lamoriello somehow managed to land Kovalchuk, break his bank, not even be able to field a whole team last year, and yet put everything all together regardless. Pretty amazing bit of GM-ing to say the least. totally unconventional, but the guy seems to figure out how to put together winners.
That being said, they will still lose to the Kings, and it will be sweet to see Kovi with his head in his hands, tears in his eyes, as he watches Dustin Brown hoist the Cup this year!
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Which team is the 16th on pp%?
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What I’d really like to see is how these Devils postseason stats match up to the only adversity the Kings have seen: the postseason Phoenix Coyotes.
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Cory Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@Bobby O., I wouldn’t necessarily say that the Coyotes were the only adversity, or that they were even really adversity. We still only lost 1 game, and the game we lost to Vancouver was worse. I was always more worried about Vancouver coming back than Phoenix. The adversity will start if NJD win the first game, the Kings’ formula has been to steal the first 2 away and then go from there, it may be more difficult against the Devils cause Brodeur is what was it.. 7-1 at home? The coyotes just played hard a dirty (IMO). I wasn’t worried about them after they beat Vancouver and STL
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i dont really care for stats……Anything can happen…Lets just hope the Kings plays like they been and see what happens
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Hello Fellow Kings Fans:
Though I’ve lived in the San Francisco area for the last 15 years, I’ve been a huge Kings fan for 29 years. I lived in Los Angeles in the 1980′s, and actually hosted and produced my own TV show about hockey back then. It was called “Hockey Life,” and I interviewed such hockey luminaries as Bob Miller, Nick Nickson, David Courtney, Bruce McNall and Brian Engblom. I now read the Kings Insider religiously as I continue to follow the Kings. It’s so exciting to see how amazingly well they’re playing.
Should anyone find their way to an extra ticket or two for any of the upcoming home games, I’d be thrilled to purchase them at any price within reason. Please, let me know.
Go KINGS! email me at jimmydak@pacbell.net. Thank you!
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Good stats. The one with no match in the playoffs is Goals against/game. And if the Kings PK can manage to limit the Devils PP that would seal the deal. Button down the hatches boys!
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In order to get to the Stanley Cup finals you should apparently make sure you
1) block at most second to least shots per game in the ground series
2) have at best the second to worst faceoff percentage in the playoffs.
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In order to get to the Stanley Cup finals you should apparently make sure you
1) block at most second to least shots per game in the ground series
2) have at best the second to worst faceoff percentage in the playoffs.
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how’d the Kings and Dev’s go head to head this season?
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@Kings ’93, kings lost them both,one in a shootout and one a shutout but Bernier was in the net
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Raynn Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
@KingsFanFTW, so was Hedberg, for most of it. Totally different teams now anyway, on both sides.
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Forum Gold Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@Kings ’93, At NJ 2-1 NJ in a S/O. 3-0 NJ at LA. GO KINGS GO!!!
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laikaloco Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@Forum Gold, and both of ‘em were back in October…basically meaningless.
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BigSeeGas Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@Kings ’93, Simone Gagne scored the only goal for the kings…
different team now
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TiredOfIt Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@Kings ’93, Doesn’t matter…..Go Kings GO
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Let’s hope those face off percentages for the Kings versus Devils in the regular season are true in the finals!
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And by the way…you can throw all stats out the window…whoever wants it more is goin ta get it….the Kings do have the size though and that could be a big factor if they use it wisely…and I hope they do…I want Devils flying all over and on the ice on Wednesday….especially Ilya…..
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Howard Berger Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@Kings ’93, Howard Berger here. I’m staying with you guys to win it all and look forward to covering the final. My blog from today: http://www.bergerbytes.ca/2012/05/kings-will-top-devils-in-lengthy-final/
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number 6 Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@Howard Berger,
Really like the quality of your writing. Insightful and very reasoned. Especially your breakdown of the Brown incident. Being a Kings fan, I asked myself the question of whether it was worthy of a penalty. And in the conversation with myself (lol) I came to a similar conclusion. It might have merited a penalty but so many elements were involved as you rightly point out, between the timing of the whistle, the angle you viewed it from etc.
One last point that strangely no one seems to have brought up in the press: just going back thru the years, in how many regular season games have I seen players bump into each other on offsides calls? Lots. Occasionally (though not often) the bumps can be rather hard, and if you figure that into the context of an OT of a playoff game, it isn’t that remarkable that something like this happens.
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Kingsfanforlife Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@Kings ’93, stats are over rated……just the final score that counts!
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TSN has the greatest video on their top 3 candidates for the Conn Smythe. Each guy on the panel of four has Kings players in the one and two slot!
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goodspeedlem Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@paige, link?
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paige Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@goodspeedlem, all my links are getting moderated. it’s on the tsn home page with a big picture of Brown and it says Conn Men. Everyone is leading with either Brown or Kopi or DD8 as a dark horse.
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outsider Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@paige, As I told many times before:
- Brown with SC
- Quick with Vezina
- Kopitar with Conn Smythe (my prediction: most points in the play offs and best player of the SC finals…)
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paige Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@paige, I think I’ve been getting moderated to the point of chafing presumably because of links. Just go to the http://tsn.ca/nhl/ page and click on the video to the right that says Conn Men with a picture of Brown.
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I’d like to see the faceoff percentage improve in the finals. Stoll has been solid, as usual, and hope to see him and the other centers bring it up a notch. But I really do think the Kings will NOT be denied and that their relentless forecheck will give the Devils’ d-men all they can handle!
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I said it last night and will say it again especially after these stats (THANKS RICH!!)
Da debs only had to beat #3 #5 and #1, and #1 struggled to beat #7 and #8. They have had it easier (not easy, just easier by our Kings comparison) so far. I dont think they have more desire for the cup than the Kings (meaning they have struggled). Accomplishments are speaking volumes right now.(Kings have kicked ass all the way through the WCF. We have taken all sort of claims, beaten the odds, shoved it down our opponents throats and especially down the NBC tards throats.
Their goalie has given up a lot, so unless he steps it up, we are going to dominate. I see us taking this to them in 5 games. But I am hoping for 4.
My faith in the cup is 100% I am confident. And for sake of argument, say they just collapse; I am still proud of them and happier than all hell. We are set for a phenomenal run for a long time, we are contenders. We just had to turn off the economy mode to start firing on all cylinders. We are a force to be reckoned with!
This is by far the best time to be a Kings fan! Sorry Dionne, Rogi, Fox, Evans, Robi, Gretz, Taylor and so many great ones along the way; but this is the time; the best time to be a Kings fan. This is one for the History books, the one for all the highlight reels.
GMFKG!
GO KINGS GO!
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TiredOfIt Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@Mars, No sorry’s needed IMO…This is the best Kings team ever……If the free agent thing goes well next year this could be a dynasty…ie Islanders, Edmonton…just sayin
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I cant beleive the kings actually has a pct for their PP…..
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Biggest stat I see is NJ has a very good powerplay. the Kings will need to continue to be disciplined and stay away from bad penaltys to win.
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FiG17 Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@JWR,
The positive from that… Remember when St. Louis powerplay vs. the Sharks was ridiculous? We were able to shut that down and it worked out quite nicely for us. If our PK stays at the level it’s capable of, that could be a huge advantage in our favor.
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Mars Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@FiG17, I could not agree more.
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Go Kings Go!
Thanks Rich
LA Kings Rock!
Nothing more need be said
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stats schmats! the KINGS will crush them like the ants they are!!! GKG!!!!
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The Kings are going to come out fast and hard–as good as they’ve been I think they’re on a mission, they’ve got a lot left in their tanks, and they’ve been saving the best for last. They’re young, hungry, and determined…and still peaking in terms of playing their best hockey of the year. And the biggest aspect in their favor is that they are far less beaten down from the war of attrition that is the playoff marathon….
Five games at most if the Devils can steal one.
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Mars Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
@rontheking, Well said.
I also think they havent played anyone that had their hearts and bodies in it as much. They are now facing the Kings who have been going at it with everything and remarkably well too.
I dont expect it to be easy, but I do think it will be in our favor. It will be a great series to watch.
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I was looking at the Kings PP% and thought….. well, it isn’t really all That bad. I mean, 15th out of 30 teams. Mid table. Then of course I realized that there are only 16 teams in the playoffs. So that actually means there was a team with a worse % than the Kings? Guess so.
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Off topic http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-04-08/evgeni-malkin-shea-weber-henrik-lundqvist-patrice-bergeron-nhl-awards
With the awards coming too; I hope that some of the post season does come into play, I would hate to see Tippett get the jack Adam’s after his crap during the WCF.
I am curious how the Vezina will come down. Its down to Quick and Lundy IMO.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@Mars, I may be mistaken, but I believe the awards are already chosen and were before the playoffs. We just get told who the finalists are. In any case, except for the Conn Smythe what happens in the post season doesn’t apply. And don’t shoot the messenger, but if Tippett gets it he deserves it. He took
a team with very little that was not even expected to make the playoffs and won a tough division.
A class act? No. I lost a LOT of respect I had for him.
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Mars Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@HockeyNerd, He did well during the season, yes. But hopefully some Coaches are asking for a change of vote.
I am disappointed and ashamed he acted like that. It clearly translated down the ranks.
I hope the NHL does slap put a lot of fines. Multiple fines for the repeated offenses he and his players made. Sadly the $2500 fine is not enough for players whom make millions.
The fine should be a percentage based system, making it fair to lower payed pros and that of higher payed pros. Also bumping up the % on each offense.
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Kings power play might move up a few % points if they had needed the goals. Seems to me that most of the time the Kings were already were playing with the lead and didn’t press on the PP. IMO that’s smart hockey to keep things safe and take more time off the clock. This team has recently had an amazing ability to get good scoring chances (and convert them) when needed.
Didn’t really get to see NJ play this year but my recollection is that they always played Kings pretty tough over the last few years. Hate that admittedly effective neutral zone trap. Boring to watch.
Does Penner remind anyone a little bit of Robert Horry? I recall one former teammate saying about Horry that, when the play offs came, it was like they picked up a new player.
Unlike Horry, Pens had some off ice issues and I always thought Penner put out the effort. Still, its great to see him playing so well. Its like the team gained Penner, King and Nolan, all contributing, for their play off run.
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Devils power play looks really, really good. Stay out of the box boys.
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Before the playoffs of you’d offered me 1000 to 1 that we’d be in the finals with 8 road wins I still wouldn’t have taken that bet. If you’d said “and despite an anemic power play” you could have offered me 1,000,000 to 1 and still I wouldn’t have taken it.
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The biggest edge we have, I think, is that our top forwards check IN ALL THREE ZONES. Actually, based on the stats it doesn’t seem like Koval Shmuck checks in ANY zone.
That and the fact our defenseman are second to none.
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@number 6, deep rolling 4 lines and 3 good pairs of defenseman?
Now who does that bring to mind for ya?
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For those of us who see the value of statistics, some additional numbers to ponder:
NJ has given up as many goals in their 18 playoff games (41) as the Kings have scored in their 14 games.
Although NJ has played just 4 more playoff games than LA, NJ has given up 19 goals more than LA.
The goal differentials of the teams gives a very interesting (and somewhat alarming) picture:
NJ is +10 over 18 playoff games (51/41); LA is +19 despite having played 4 fewer games (41/22).
However, the numbers start to slide in NJ’s favor as you break it down to more recent games:
NJ:
Last 5: 15/11 (+4)
Last 3: 12/6 (+6)
LA:
Last 5: 14/8 (+6)
Last 3: 6/6 (0)
For those readers who poo-poo stats, consider this: prior to G1 of the PHX series, LA had a goal differential for their three prior games of +7 and PHX’s number was (gulp) 0.
Conclusion: the Kings will need to play much better than they have in their last 3 games in order to get the early advantage in this series. Fortunately, the Kings have a well-established a pattern now of inundating opponents in the first two games of each series.
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Jack Johnson (not that Jack) Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
@Capt Jam, If you believe in averages, at least in the playoffs, aside from goalies there are three areas that seem to be a big King advantage: 1. goals against/goals for avg. Kings +19, NJ +9. 2. Penalty minutes for and against avg. Kings -127. NJ -34. 3. Individual plus/minus; Brown +13, Kopi +13 and Doughty +10.
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Hits are the key stat. We are much bigger and stronger then the Devils. We need to finish our checks and punish them physically. If we do that they will be worn out going into the third and later in the series. Pound them into the boards and bring the Cup home boys!!!
GKG!!
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