from Bob McKenzie of TSN,
The short-term increase in scoring this season is not simply a function of a power-play goal bonanza. In fact, there's only been one more power-play goal (16) scored in 80 games this year compared to the (15) first 80 of last season. There have been additional five shorthanded goals, from 10 to 15.
And there have been five fewer empty-net goals this season — 22 as opposed to 27 —compared to the same time period a year ago.
Goalies appear to be taking a beating. The league's overall save percentage has gone from .917 to .902. There were 13 shutouts in the first 80 games of 2015-16; there have been only six shutouts so far this season. Shots (4,725 to 4,756) and shot attempts (8,714 to 8,840) are up but only marginally.
So unless you're a goalie, or a coach who has been pulling out his hair because of the wild offensive ride we're on, it's all good.
I asked a half-dozen NHL head coaches what they make of what they've seen so far. I'm not identifying which coach said what — a little anonymity goes a long way in getting a more direct answer — but like a lot of us, they're wondering if this trend will continue for the rest of the season.
"Too soon to say," said one coach. "All I know is we're way too busy right now pulling pucks out of our net."
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