BoC Gameday—Sammy Pahlsson, Power Play Specialist?

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 8:08 AM PST Comment 44 comments

Anaheim Ducks (21-15-5, 6th in west) at Los Angeles Kings (16-17-6, 13th in west)
OK, fine. This time I'll leave the lucky green shirt at home.

One development that I'm quite torn about lately related to the Ducks is the recent placement of Mr. Selke Sammy Pahlsson on the top unit of the power play, to fill in for the suspended Corey Perry. Over the last two games, Pahlsson has actually spent more time on the power play than on the penalty kill, which has to be a first for the Swede. What I don't like about it is that Pahlsson already takes on the toughest minutes in hockey, and I don't know that he can be as valuable in an offensive role as he is as the shutdown center. Then again, look at this season's power play results, highlighting on Sammy:

(click image to enlarge)

It's kind of unbelievable, really. He's third on the team on PP points-per-hour, and his goal-differential-per-hour is off the charts (nearly a goal every two minutes)! Sammy comes in, and the power play scores, essentially. Of course, it helps that generally Sammy gets inserted with the top-unit players, but still -- he's been on the ice for only two fewer PPGs than Chris Kunitz, despite seeing some 70 fewer minutes. Insane.

Generally with defensive specialists, you can oftentimes justify their existence with the mantra "a goal prevented is as just as valuable as a goal scored", but perhaps for Sammy, the reverse may be true? It's really tough for me to say, but it is worth noting that in the two games without Perry, the Ducks' offense has entirely come from its top power play unit. Corey Perry returns from his suspension on Sunday -- what say you, readers? Should Carlyle keep giving Pahlsson power play minutes, or should he go back to what we're all used to -- Sammy Pahlsson the stopper? I've got to say, I love versatility, though, and it's about time to get the campaign back underway:

Do it, Murray.

Prediction: Ducks 4, Kings 2. Goals by Morrison, Ebbett, Pahlsson (PP), and Ryan.

Go Ducks.

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Oh yeah

And I did draw a PuckToon today also. Enjoy!

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 8:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

God, I love your cartoons. Online ASG voting is an absolutely joke. Why do they even allow fans to vote, anyway? This is where I love the NFL, because as far as I know, Pro Bowl selections are entirely devoid of fan influence.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 8:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m betting that other than the tinge of a tainted voting process, the NHL loves how many robots came out to vote this year.

They can brag loosely about their fan involvement, and another feather in their “NHL fans are so tech-savvy” tag line.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure it’s 1/3 fans, 1/3 players, and 1/3 coaches. So fans power is limited.

by brokenyard on Jan 9, 2009 2:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, fine. This time I’ll leave the lucky green shirt at home.

At least you only have one lucky shirt. You don’t have a fucking dilemma like I do.

Okay, the last time I wore my lucky Palffy jersey, the Kings lost. The last time I wore my not-so-lucky autographed Kopitar third jersey, the Kings won (Saturday).

I’m leaning towards trying the lucky Palffy jersey again, but maybe I’ll just wear my Long Beach Ice Dogs jersey, if I can find it.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 8:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

At least you only have one lucky shirt. You don’t have a fucking dilemma like I do.

You just have to be decisive, I think. I guess my back-up option if green shirt ever gets suspended is my white Disney Vishnevski jersey, but that hasn’t seen the light of day in quite some time.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 9:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sample Size too small

Maybe I missed the irony and the tough-in-cheek (I’m feeling a little slow today) but Sammy’s sample size is way too small to say anything about his PP prowess. Also, and you’d need to look at the shift charts to see this, but some teams throw out good players near the end of a kill (like SJ does sometimes with Joe Thornton) and the other team would then counter with their shutdown line, technically giving those players some PP time.

I can appreciate your bromance with Mr. Pahlsson, but I think we need more data. And oh, his PP goal was opening night- against the Kings.

by mepex on Jan 8, 2009 9:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Definitely it’s way small, but the PP unit has been Niedermayer-Pronger-Getzlaf-Pahlsson-Ryan the last two games and it’s produced four goals very efficiently. Basically the thrust is this: the Ducks lost Selanne a few weeks ago and Perry a few games ago, but have actually picked up steam on their PP special teams — Bobby Ryan and Sammy Pahlsson have been very strong fill-ins.

And his PP goal was the game winner on Tuesday, dude. I was there. You must be thinking of Selanne’s one even-strength goal of the season, which did come in game #3 against L.A.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 9:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And besides, the Ducks’ pp in the opening six games went 1-for-24, and that goal was definitely not against the Kings, and definitely not scored by Pahlsson.

It was Pronger in the 4-0 smashing of your Sharks, remember?

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 9:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh, thanks for reminding me. Dick.

My bad on the schedule- I think I was doing a handstand while reading it.

And maybe Pahlsson is channeling his Scandanavian brother, but two games does not a power play specialist make. Ducks scored 6 PP goals in two games against Detroit and Vancouver in late October, then went 2-for-15 in their next five games. Shit happens.

by mepex on Jan 8, 2009 10:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt more data is needed, but I promise you I’m not holding any of it back.

All I can tell you is I think that if you put together a list of how players did in their first fifteen minutes of PP duty this season, very very few of them would have been on the ice for 6 GF. It’s a stunning start, and that’s pretty much all I’m trying to point out.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 10:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I love Sammy, love those rosy cheeks. But I don’t see how Carlyle can keep him on the PP once Perry comes back from suspension. I agree with your initial thoughts—Pahlsson may be producing on the PP (the sample size is a bit small for any real conclusions), but the offensive improvement/replacement doesn’t justify the trade-off of having him play so many minutes for more than a handful of games. Especially given the type of minutes he normally plays and the fact that the Ducks don’t have anyone to replace him in those minutes.

Still, even as a four-game gap filler, it’s weird. Why not bump Kunitz up to the first PP unit and move someone else to the second unit? Well, whatever the reasoning, it seems to be working at the moment.

by g r a c e on Jan 8, 2009 9:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

(the sample size is a bit small for any real conclusions)

Oh, most definitely. But early returns are promising.

And here’s the thing: this might represent the very first time since the lockout that Sammy has played any minutes with quality scorers. Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer do their jobs very well, but there’s never been a real passing option for Sammy in the three-plus years of Anaheim servitude. He’s played well with the Swedish teams in the past with guys like Alfredsson — perhaps there’s an offensive upside to Sammy that Carlyle’s just starting to figure out.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 9:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting.

You know what else I was thinking? Both Pahlsson and Ryan have talked about trying to take on the roles of Perry and Selanne, respectively. Ryan has been quoted as saying that he’s watching video of Selanne on the PP and trying to imitate him. And I think Pahlsson said something similar about parking himself in front of the net a la Perry. It’s funny how successful they’ve been as impostors.

by g r a c e on Jan 8, 2009 10:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That is pretty interesting. I wonder if Sammy watched some video of the innocent facial expressions Perry makes when he “inadvertently” skates straight through a netminder.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 10:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe

RC plugs in marchant on the 3rd line and let sammy have a couple cracks on the 2nd line and/or more PP time…

give him a chance maybe for a period?

El Spade-o

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 8, 2009 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That look cracks me up and drives me nuts at the same time. Pahlsson has the boyish face for a Perry impression, but he lacks the requisite…asininity? assholishness? to pull it off.

by g r a c e on Jan 8, 2009 10:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

oh drats

I wish SBN let users delete their own comments. This last one is improperly tiered.

by g r a c e on Jan 8, 2009 10:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s OK, no need to strive for comment perfection. We’re a tolerable bunch (except for obnoxious Red Wings fans who don’t think Detroit’s represented enough on national TV).

That’s odd, I guess because I’m a blog big-wig I can delete comments, and I sort of thought everyone had that power (under the “Actions” menu).

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 10:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody wanna go to the game tonight?

I might have an available ticket for tonight’s game. Both my parents are incredibly ill, so if they decide to rest and allow me to go to the game by myself, I’ll have an extra ticket.

I won’t know for certain until it gets closer to the time that I’ll leave to catch the Metro (around 5:15), but just in case, would anybody consider it?

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 10:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Damn, I’m screwed tonight. I won’t be watching tonight’s game until probably 11 pm, depending on the scoreboard and my mood.

Thanks for the offer, though. And your parents’ generous illness.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 11:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d go, though I’m sure I’d be a better person to go to a game with in 11 days (21 on the 19th). I’d consider it for sure. But I’m afraid I’m too far away as well, to get there from Irvine at 5:15

by Bleys on Jan 8, 2009 12:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A pre-congratulations on legalism! May your evenings get a little more spinny.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Congrats on almost being 21. I’ve got… 927 days before the magic day.

If this happens, the person would just have to meet me at Staples Center to get the ticket. You wouldn’t have to like catch me on the train or something fancy.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aw, my girlfriend is turning 21 on the 15th. I’m not 21 until September.

by brokenyard on Jan 9, 2009 2:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

haha

can I ask why they would have to ALLOW you to go by yourself? 20 isn’t old enough for some independence?

GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com

by SK eleven on Jan 8, 2009 2:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, technically, I’m only 18. But that’s not it. I didn’t mean allow as in “they won’t let me”. I meant if I’m able to convince them to stay home and rest.

But I don’t know what’s gonna happen. My mom insists she’ll be able to go, but I’m trying to give her the “if you were too sick to go to work today, you’re too sick to go to the game” speech.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 2:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d be totally down, but I told a guy on my team I’d sub for his team at KHS tonight

by Bleys on Jan 8, 2009 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ahhh right, I should have paid better attention to the number of days remaining until 21.
But nice work on the speech. What goes around comes around. haha

GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com

by SK eleven on Jan 8, 2009 2:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it seems my mom is feeling “better” now. Says that the reason she stayed home was so she could feel well enough to go to the game. I don’t know for sure yet, but it’s leaning towards me not being able to give the ticket away.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I kind of suspected. Perhaps your mom is a real drinky diehard — I know I’ve missed days of work under the excuse of “sickness” in order to be better drunk for game time.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 3:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As far as I know, she doesn’t drink. The more likely scenario is that I gave my cold to both my parents, and they got over it as quickly as I did.

Ah, the Kings are going to lose. I’m gonna start the “Fuck you, Gauthier” chants any minute now.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 3:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Some bizarre good news/bad news from Mirtle’s site.

Good news: the KHL all-star game, being played in the Red Square in Moscow, will be shown in the U.S. on Saturday early morning.

Bad news: for some unknown reason, the game will be called by John Ahlers (ugh) and Brent Severy (yay). Still, that local touch promises to effectively ruin the novel feeling of an overseas game. I guess SI color man of the year Brian Hayward prefers to sleep in.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 1:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Better Ahlers than Hayward. Seriously, how did that guy get retained by the Ducks/FS PrimeTicket? I wouldn’t have re-signed himi after his contract expired.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 1:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

At this point, the only two hopes for removing Hayward are (a) death by anything, or (b) he gets promoted to Versus.

I’m holding my breath for either one of those things. I think firing is next-to-impossible now, not because of popularity, but rather because he’s been there forever.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How is that homeristic jerk popular? Certainly not with fans of the other 29 teams, I pray.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 3:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like it. Ducks could always stick Perry on 2nd PP again, like parts of last season. When Teemu comes back, I’d move Perry and Ryan to the 2nd PP, leave Sammy on PP1, and see how it goes. Morrison on the 2nd PP is a blackhole.

Didn’t Pahlsson score in a penalty shot earlier this yr also? I think he’s got much better hands than most people realize. And with his freakish swedish genes, he’s an immovable force, unlike Corey “Skates without bending his knees” Perry …

Don't bRuin your life. Make love with a Trojan

by Morbo on Jan 8, 2009 1:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Didn’t Pahlsson score in a penalty shot earlier this yr also?

Not this season. I’d have to look up last year, because that sounds familiar.

His first goal this season was against San Jose on a very clean breakaway, though, and he made Nabokov cry (inside). But yeah, he does have some skill on the odd occasion when he can show it off.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah yes, here it is! Pahlsson scored a shorthanded penalty shot against Pascal Leclaire last season.

Boxscore.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The only way to get a shorthanded PS goal would be if the Jackets turned it over on the power play, Pahlsson took it down, and was hooked, got the penalty shot, and scored.

In other words, pure luck.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 1:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but the move was sick. I think I had dreams of putting Sammy in the shootout after that (even though prior years’ experimentation had shown that wasn’t a good idea).

But yeah, pretty much how you imagine it — that led up to the penalty shot, I think.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 1:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t recall ever seeing it; do you think it’s on YouTube somewhere?

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 1:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven’t looked, but I’d say “dubious”. I probalby overstated by calling it a sick move.

It was a sick move compared to what you’d expect from Pahlsson, and it scored. But when you’re a Pahlsson-disciple like I am, every Sammy goal is by definition “sick”.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 8, 2009 2:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or a sick move compared to the one Kopitar pulled on Niittymaki Saturday against the Flyers. I mean, did you see it? He basically went straight in, went to the left, and shot it right at Niittymaki’s right legpad.

Fuck you, Denis Gauthier

by Kevin Y on Jan 8, 2009 2:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

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Pacific Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
San Jose Fear The Fin	59	39	11	9	87
Phoenix Five For Howling	60	36	19	5	77
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	59	36	20	3	75
Dallas Defending Big D	58	26	21	11	63
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	59	28	24	7	63