Colorado @ Detroit

DET COL # G EG S% G EG SV% Game 1: 4 4.5 70.6 3 1.0 91.3 Game 2: 5 3.3 92.5 1 1.3 85.2 Game 3: 4 6.6 90.2 3 3.0 94.1 Game 4: 8 3.7 91.8 2 2.4 78.8 Series [4-0] 21 18.1 88.5 9 7.7 88.6

US Hockey network executives must be happy today. The classic American playoff series has returned for another season. Both teams are balanced offensively, but defensively Detroit has man handled Colorado all season long winning all 4 games and shutting them out 3 times.

DET COL Winner Even Strength GF 2.66 2.69 EGF 2.64 2.64 GA 1.83 2.41 EGA 1.71 2.63 SV% 89.3% 90.8% Power Play GF 8.39 4.82 EGF 9.34 5.82 GA 0.24 0.4 EGA 0.35 0.58 SV% 88.8% 90.3%

The winner column displays the dominant team in that category. The more pictures of the team's logo the more dominant the team is in that category All the non-percentage numbers are scoring rates. For example on the first row, the Detroit Red Wings have an even strength scoring rate of 2.66 goal for per hour. [GF = goals for, GA = goals against Exx = expected xx, SV% = shot quality neutral save percentage]. In the power play section in order to calculate the expected scoring rates I multiplied the goals for rate of one team and the goals against rate of the other and divide by the league average in order to get the expected rate for these two teams combined. So for example, the Detroit Red Wings have a power play goals for rate of 7.98 and the Colorado Avalanche have a penalty killing goals against rate of 6.84. So 7.98*6.84/6.5=8.39 [league average is 6.5]. Outperforming expected goals for is a sign of a lucky team. Outperforming expected goals against is a sign of either a good goaltender or luck as well. Each category listed has a different importance to winning, so be careful how you read these. Being able to score short-handed isn't going to win a lot of hockey games.