Alright, enough beating around the bush already. Earlier today I alluded to my burgeoning man-crush on Boyd "Muffins" Gordon. Back in early January I proclaimed a Selke Trophy to potentially be in his future, Dave Fay, to his credit, had a piece on Gordo's maturation as a player back in mid-December, and the fellas at OFB have been fans of Boyd's for quite some time, even if they didn't know who he was at first (really, who did?).Now here we are - it's Friday, I'm in love (or perhaps I should quote "Working For The Weekend" by... Loverboyd).
Consider:
- Gordon leads the team in plus/minus (+6; Bryan Muir's anomalous +8 doesn't count), made all the more impressive by the fact that he's often matched-up against the opponent's top line and is on a team that has given up 24 more goals than it has scored.
- He leads the team in faceoff winning percentage (50.9%), made all the more impressive by the fact that he's often matched-up against the opponent's top center.
- He's sixth on the team in scoring and eight on the team in assists, despite rarely getting shifts with the team's top wingers and despite averaging a measly three seconds of power-play time per game.
- He has taken only four minor penalties all season, despite the fact that he's often matched-up against the opponent's top line.
10 comments:
I just realized that my last three posts contain a profession of man-love, a reference to shirtless Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise, and a derision of homophobia in the NHL.
It must be all the Andrew Sullivan I've read lately.
I really love this site. Next time I'm in DC for a game, I owe you a beer.
Thanks, man. See if Smooty can hook us up with a party boat down the Potomac while you're at it.
Boyd Gordon is what we all expected Suts to become. I don't think they offer contracts to both Laich and Suts in the offseason, do they?!
I think they'll both be offered contracts, but I'm not sure they'll both be "we really need you here" offers.
Of the two, I prefer Laich, who I believe has more offensive upside, though Suts is a bit tougher than either Gordon or Laich, and there's obviously a non-stat-based reason he (Sutherby) wears an "A" on his sweater as well
Laich is a better PKer, obviously. Suts is painful to watch on the o-zone. Man has hands of granite.
I guess the answer depends in part on the Caps' FA activity too.
Who says "Bryan Muir's anomalous +8 doesn't count"?!? Boy, people sure love to hate on Muir for no apparent reason. Grrr...
One possible reason why Boyd Gordon's plus/minus is second on the team: Of the team's regular players, Gordon spends the highest percentage of ice time playing in shorthanded situations-- and of course your plus/minus cannot decrease in a shorthanded situation. 27.29% of Gordon's TOI has been shorthanded; next highest percentage is Sutherby with 22.92%.
Did anyone see Hollweg's hit on that Lightning guy towards the end of the game last night? Stuck his leg out and then Orr started throwing punches FROM THE BENCH.
Orr's a pussy, that's the bottom line. Him and Avery, match made in heaven? Add Hollweg into the mix (apparently), and you're good to go.
Rage -
My buddy TLW had a take on it. I didn't see it myself, but I'm sure Brash et. al. will be ready for anything tonight.
Your buddy is right on point. That was blatant, and there's no place for crap like that. If you want to stand up and fight someone, have at it. Don't take a cheap shot at someone's knee.
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