Plus and minus

Let's stop for a second to take a look at the often neglected statistic, Plus/Minus. This in the end often really points out some valuable guys for the team's overall success. The defenders who just refuse to give up any goals on their shifts and the forwards, who stay out of the spotlight and remain on the defensive position while their star-linemates rush out to score taking some risks. The everyday grinders on the team, but damn good ones.

Well, let's not forget my nationality bias. I just happened to see two fellow Finns in the top-3 of the NHL Plus/Minus stats. After realizing none of the Finns made it to the all-stars game, this brings some pride back.

Check out Toni Lydman, probably playing the year of his career. Leading the pack in the stats while playing for rather inconsistent Ducks. He's been contributing offensively pretty well all season, as expected, being a pretty mobile and talented defender in general. But apparently he's been stepping in and out of the rink at the right times too to join the celebrations and just shaking his head in the bench while opponents score. Lydman has been a very solid defenceman all his career and it's good to see he's thriving also in the new team. Maybe there's something in the company of fellow Finnish veterans Saku Koivu and Teemu Selänne that keep up the spirits. All of the three are actually playing on a high note.

And Ville Leino of Philadelphia Flyers is sitting on the third position. He's having a great season following an amazing entrance during last year's playoffs. Okay, he's playing with Briere and Hartnell, who definitely know what they're doing on the ice. So good company doesn't hurt either. However, to lead the trio in Plus/Minus shows that he's been contributing positively also outside the box. Very nice to see Leino succeeding. I paid attention to his skills already in the Finnish national league years back. For a while it seemed that his speed on skates wasn't enough for international level or NHL, but it seems he's either found the speed or adjusted well on the other aspects to succeed on the top level.

Looking at the others in the top of Plus/Minus charts points out two things; the most successful teams and the odd men who somehow elude goals against. The best stats for a player outside the current playoff teams is at 22. position for David Backes. Everything is easier when you're playing for a good team..

I have to end this post with the honorable mention to one of the all-time best Finnish forwards in NHL, Jere Lehtinen. He retired this season and finished his great career at +176 in under 900 games! Compare that e.g. to the long time linemate, super star Mike Modano, who's running his incredible career at +115 in over 1400 games. Dallas Stars will definitely miss Lehtinen if they make it to the playoffs. He just never gave up.