The Letang Effect
Ryan Wilson at HockeyBuzz.com wrote a great article analyzing Kris’ goals for % [ GF% = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against) ] Through this formula and studying the teammates that played shifts with Kris and how he positively impacted each of their shifts. He helps the top line improve immensely, a key fact that I think Coach Bylsma notices and hopefully Kris will continue to play in those shifts.
The line of Crosby, Kunitz, and Dupuis was considered one of the best, if not the best line at even strength last year in the NHL. Nobody would doubt the chemistry that those players have built up with each other.
What has probably gone unnoticed is how much Kris Letang has positively impacted that line. When Kris Letang is added to the equation, their numbers are off the charts. When Letang plays with the top line the Penguins score about 80% of the goals. 80%!
That is amazing by anybody’s standard.
When you look at the numbers while Letang is away from the top line, you can see that their numbers significantly drop off. Dupuis goes from an 89.5 GF% all the way down to 52.5% without Letang on the ice. Dupuis’ GF% of 52.5 is still not bad considering that he is on the ice for more goals for than against, but it is an incredible drop off. Crosby and Kunitz’s drop offs are not quite as drastic as Dupuis’, but they still drop down into the 55% area.
You can read the rest of the article here, it’s a great read!