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Detroit Red Wings: Jeff Blashill should consider adjusting the top line

By Tyler Kotila

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 31: Andreas Athanasiou #72 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his third period goal with teammates in front of Mike Condon #1 of the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 2-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 31: Andreas Athanasiou #72 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his third period goal with teammates in front of Mike Condon #1 of the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 2-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

A deeper look into the analytics:

To point out the obvious, the line has scored one goal and has had zero scored against them while out there together. The lines Corsi For Percentage(CF%) sits at 75% essentially meaning that the line controlled 75% of the shots taken while these players were on the ice. The line has a PDO of 125 which is FAR better than the teams PDO as well as the PDO of the teams’ lines without any of the three players.

Since the sample size is low for these players as a line, let me explain the advantages of putting these three together based off of individual production. Looking at the analytics of it, both Larkin and Mantha posses a CF% that is higher than the lines without them, and the team as a whole. This means that these two are good at being able to control the puck and influence over half of the shots that are taken when they’re on the ice.

Athanasiou’s CF% is just a slice under the teams 47.9% coming in at 47.3%. It sure seems like Athanasiou’s CF% would be able to be higher if he were moved onto a line with Larkin and Mantha. Even with the small sample sizes, it is important to note that the line produced multiple scoring chances for the Red Wings and gave up zero on the other end of the ice.

The other statistic I would like to point to in terms of analytics is the Zone-Start Ratio (ZSR) which measures the number of times players are starting their shifts in the offensive zone relative to the neutral and defensive zones or an on the fly start.

Athanasiou, Larkin, and Mantha all come in on the teams top ten lists for ZSR on the Red Wings. Being able to start in the offensive zone would only allow these three to manufacture more scoring chances and hopefully produce more goals. Giving these three the most possible chances to score and produce points is ultimately going to allow the three to develop good chemistry as a line for the coming years.

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