today 16:46
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Slovak hockey forward Tomáš Tatar is not one of the leaders of the overseas NHL team New Jersey Devils in terms of productivity, but advanced statistics clearly show his positive influence on the team’s results.
Expert Nick Villano from the Puck and Pitchforks portal found out that the 32-year-old Slovakian representative is the best of all the “Devils” in one respect – with him on the ice, the Devils scored many more goals this season than they conceded in a five-on-five game.
The experienced winger spent at least ten minutes playing five-on-five in eight different attacks this year. Nevertheless, with him on the ice, New Jersey scored 39 goals and conceded only 15.
In January of this year, Tatar scored only once, but was on the ice for a total of eleven goals scored. In the previous 49 duels, he collected 27 points (10+17) and also has 26 plus points.
“When you take a closer look at that stat, it blows your mind. Of course, it can be questioned, but it says something. Tatar has been incredibly effective this season. Even though he switches formations a lot, he makes a difference no matter where he plays. Not even a transfer to a lower attack did not affect his numbers.
It’s hard to say why that is. He somehow manages to keep the puck in the offensive zone. There is a reason why the coach puts him in the first power formation. He doesn’t look like an important player on paper, but you need a calculator to see how incredibly positive his impact is.” wrote Villano about Tatar.
The Slovak anthem and the atmosphere before the open-air match between HC Slovan Bratislava and HC Košice:
