The Hockey News: Special Features: Playoff Campbellnomics

Playoff Campbellnomics - May 13

Evgeni Malkin has scored 17 points in the post-season. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ken Campbell
2008-05-13 21:45:57

At thehockeynews.com, we don't ask how or even how many. We ask: How many of them were important?

That's the crux behind Campbellnomics, a statistic unique to THN.com that measures meaningful goals. We're not concerned with who scores the sixth goal in a 6-1 game. We're more concerned with the players who can be counted on to contribute when it matters most.

And since goals should be worth more than assists, goals in this system count for one point, assists for a half. And points are awarded only when the following goals are scored: the first goal of a game, a goal that puts the team ahead or into a tie, game-winning goals, overtime goals and shootout goals.

Some goals are worth more than one point. For example, the first goal of the game is always worth two points, one for the first of the game and another for putting the team ahead.

Campbellnomics
RK.	NHL RK.	NAME	TEAM	FIRST		AHEAD		TIE		GWG		OT		TOTAL
				G	A	G	A	G	A	G	A	G	A
1	1	Evgeni Malkin	Pit	2	2	5	4			3				14
2	3	Johan Franzen	Det	2	1	4	2			5		1		13.5
	2	Sidney Crosby	Pit	1	4	2	8	1		1	4		1	13.5
4	10	R.J. Umberger	Phi	4		4	1	2	1	2				13
5	7	Daniel Briere	Phi	1	1	2	4	2		3	1		1	11.5
	14	Alexei Kovalev	Mtl	1	2	3	2	3		1	2	1		11.5
	5	Jaromir Jagr	NYR	2	1	3	3	1	5	1				11.5
8	13	Marian Hossa	Pit	2		4	1	1	1	1	1	1		10.5
	T24	Joe Pavelski	SJ	2		3		1	1	3		1		10.5
10	11	Brenden Morrow	Dal		1	3	1		2	2	1	2		9.5
11	6	Mike Ribeiro	Dal	1		1	4	1	3		3		2	9
12	T32	Stephane Robidas	Dal		1		5	2			5		2	8.5
	4	Henrik Zetterberg	Det		1	2	2	1	1	3	1			8.5
14	19	Mike Modano	Dal		2	2	2	1	1	2	1			8
	T21	Joe Thornton	SJ	1	2	2	4		1	1	1			8
16	T46	Scottie Upshall	Phi	1	1	2	2	1		1	1		1	7.6
	T21	Joe Sakic	Colo		3	1	3	1	1	1		1		7.5
18	T26	Jeff Carter	Phi	1		1	2	2			3		1	7
	8	Mike Richards	Phi	1		2		2	3		1			7
	20	Martin Straka	NYR	1		2	2	1	3		1			7

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COMMENTS (5)

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B Hilleman Posted
(2009-04-30 06:19:01)

I love the idea of creating a new formula to truly asess value to players but I would think that recognizing goals scored when your team is down, helping to chip away at your opponent's lead should be considered heavily as well. This of course complicates things, but by using box scores someone could create an even more elaborate, and I suggest, accurate portrayal of a players scoring value.

BSwag Posted
(2009-04-30 06:18:56)

JR, I absolutely agree. Before Mario's 1st retirement, he had a 2 pt. /game AVERAGE for every game he played in. I think the next closest was below 1.5 pts / game. In other words, every game he played in, his team scored at least 2 goals on avergae. That was simply unreal and totally unheard of. Not to mention that Lemieux had to play through cancer. Lemieux was a better player, he just doesn't have the scoring stats or the MVP's to back it up.

JR Cote Posted
(2009-04-30 06:18:54)

A little off topic. I was watching tsn tonite. Dave Hodge. Anyhows, bottom line was that he felt like Gretzky would outscore any of the superstars of all time. I have a different response to that. I acknowledge that Gretzky was elite and nothing less. However, I really feel like he had a story book career. Without a bias in place i really do feel as though Lemieux was a better player. My arguments are as follows. Gretzky came in with an amazing team. Lemieux came in with a team with the 2nd worse home record of all time. Lemieux scored 199pts in 76 games. If he played the other 4 games he def would have broken 200 pts without a doubt. He was also projected to do so 2 or 3 more times. Does anyone know who his wingers were when he scored 199pts. No thats right. Not many do. Gretzky scored his with Messier, Kurri, Coffey in his prime, Anderson. That is a huge difference. He was definitely not hit like Lemieux was. Just watch Don Cherrys 10. It really is true. Think of this. Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles when he was 28 yrs old. Only 1 season where he scored 50 goals. When he was 30 yrs old he scored 41 goals while when Lemieux was 30 he scored 69 goals. People dont look at things when they were on even grounds. At this age Gretzky was still in his prime no doubt about it. Gretzky was def given preferential treatment. People just ignore it all. When they were in the 87 Canada Cup. Gretzky was 24 or 25 with yrs of experience he had 4 goals and 21 pts while Lemieux had 18 pts and 11 goals including 3 or 4 winners including the tournament winners. Gretzky was MVP. Lets face it. That was definitely a BIAS no doubt about it. To confirm how people really have no idea what they are talking about, Malkin wasnt even invited to this yrs all star game. What a joke and pure evidence that people have no idea what they are talking about. Back to my argument. Lemieux scored 199pts to Gretzkys 168 pts with both having 114 assists and Lemieux having 85 goals to Gretzkys 54 goals but Gretzky receiving MVP is ludicrous. Do you really think if Lemieux scored 31 goals less then Gretzky that he would honestly get MVP. Lemieux scored consecutive points in 47 games opposed to Gretzkys 51 but Lemieux was on in first period of that game and came back many games later to have 1 goal and 1 assist in the last game of the yr is all forgotten about. I really and truly believe that Gretzky did recieve preferential treatment. I am fine with that. Actually No, I am not. It wasnt fair. If he was fair game and he had those accomplishments I would totally embrace him. However Lemieux is always number 2 to him because he didnt receive any embracements. Gretzky was definitely not fair game. I dont care what anyone says, he really wasnt. I laugh when someone says he is too fast. What a joke. If they say he was too smart that is another good joke. It doesnt take intelligence to finish your check on a player who is not exceptionally fast. I would love to hear others thoughts.

Ned Wallace Posted
(2009-04-30 06:18:43)

Check your math. Malkin has only 13 and Kovalev has 12.

RICHARD W. MONDAK Posted
(2009-04-30 06:18:38)

Gee, could some Mathematics / Applied Statistics major take the top 10 scorers in NHL history or even those selected as the 10 best players in NHL history and use this formula? How about as a Masters-level thesis? But not me...