Analyzing Alexei Ponikarovsky's First Few Games as a Devil

by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 7, 2012 3:22 PM EST in Devils Issues, Views & Analysis

While Alexei Ponikarovsky has only been a Devil for a few games, he has been one of the more effective players for the Devils over the last few games. In his first game as a Devil, he scored the team's only goal. He's been one of the stronger performers over the last few games, with a goal and 4 assists in his last 3 games. For the price that the Devils payed for him, they're getting a pretty good deal so far. Right now, I'm going to take a look at how he's performed in his first few games. I also want to look at how he's been deployed as well.

Corsi, Fenwick and Zone Start data via timeonice.com

Game	OZone Start%	Corsi	Fenwick	Points
1/21/12 vs PHI	50% (3/6)	6	2	1 (1 G)
1/24/12 vs BUF	40% (2/5)	3	2	0
1/31/12 vs NYR	83% (5/6)	3	1	0
2/2/12 vs MON	40% (4/10)	-1	-1	2 (2 A)
2/4/12 vs PHI	60% (3/5)	6	6	2 (1 G, 1 A)
2/5/12 vs PIT	27% (3/11)	1	-1	1 (1 A)
Totals/Averages	46% (20/43)	3	1.5	2 G, 4 A

When looking at his offensive zone starts, he's started 46% of them in the Devils defensive zone. His total this year is around 49% according to Behind the Net (combined stats between the Devils and Hurricanes), so he's been used in a similar fashion to how he was used in Carolina. Likewise, he's also carrying over a good trait from Carolina- his ability to drive play forward, evidenced by his solid corsi and fenwick. Considering the bottom 6 hasn't been great this season, having someone who can drive play forward definitely helps out, and the 3rd line has been significantly better with Ponikarovsky in the lineup.

As for his point totals, I'd like to mention his shooting percentage- with Carolina he's had pretty bad luck when it comes to shooting (7 goals on 98 shots for a 7.1 shooting percentage). With the Devils, he's taken less shots, but he's managed to score on those few shots he took (2 goals on 8 shots, 25% shooting). I'd also like to point out that he's scored all 6 points at even strength.

While it's only been 6 games so far, I don't think that Ponikarovsky won't be a point-per game player for the rest of the season. He'll probably finish with around 30-40 points. What won't regress is going to be his possession numbers, which have been solid so far this season.

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Comments

To have a 48% OZone player who is able to keep up a 52-54% Fenwick is terrific. That makes us much more difficult to play against in the playoffs. He and Bernier cycle extremely well.

by MacIsaacFC on Feb 7, 2012 4:00 PM EST reply actions

That in of itself is huge considering the team’s bottom six has usually been possession sieves this season.

I agree with Kevin’s analysis – the possession numbers should be more sustainable than the production, which is always appreciated.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Feb 7, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Good to see Poni pushing the play. Overall since he has been here he has made the third line a lot better. They have had a better overall presence. Now with Bernier on the squad, the third line is looking like an actual threat. It will be interesting to see what happens with the lines once Zajac is back and in his normal form.

Parise – Elias – Kovy
Sykora – Zajac – Zubrus
Poni – Henrique – Clarkson
Boulton – Josefson – Bernier

Tallinder/Fayne
Greene/Larsson
Salvador/Volchenkov

Brodeur
Hedberg

Call me crazy, but that looks like a decent club.

Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies

by joshd12 on Feb 7, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions

I say take out Boulton and put in Foster as a 7th D for PPs. Otherwise, golden.

by SatanicStickholders on Feb 7, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

I understand that move, but playoff hockey is tough and physical. I would want a hard hitting, not scared to drop the gloves guy in my lineup. Boulton has stepped up in my opinion lately. I would keep him in the lineup and let Larsson and Greene run the points on the powerplay.

Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies

by joshd12 on Feb 7, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Neither Larsson or Greene are that effective at running the points. At least Larsson isn’t just yet. Playing the point on the PP is what Foster does best and what he was brought in for. Let him be a specialist. And Boulton has stepped it up how? You want a guy who hits and drops the gloves, his name is David Clarkson.

Get Zharkov up here already.

by Zelepukin on Feb 7, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

by SatanicStickholders on Feb 7, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

Boulton is throwing his body around, and is playing his position well. What more can you ask for out of a forth liner? I understand everyone wants goals and production from all four lines, but realistically we all know Lou and PDB are not going to bring Zharkov up. Plus, I really don’t know much about Zharkov. I understand everyone around here seems to love him, but I haven’t seen enough of him to feel the same.

David Clarkson is too important right now to be sitting in the box for 5 minutes. Clarkson has scored 20 goals and 3 being game winners.

As for running the points on the PPs, who would you prefer?

Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies

by joshd12 on Feb 7, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

Boulton is throwing his body around, and is playing his position well. What more can you ask for out of a forth liner?

Boulton’s a sieve defensively and if he gets a couple of shots on net, then it’s a reason to celebrate because he’s not often in the other team’s end of the rink with the puck. Moreover, Boulton’s got fewer fighting majors than Clarkson so he’s not even “enforcing.” The line on him, Janssen, etc. is that they provide energy; but their energy doesn’t really help the team go forward.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Feb 7, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

To be fair to Eric Boulton, he has been a scratch 22 times already this season, many of them the healthy variety. It’s very difficult to get into a fight when you’re watching from the press box.

That aside, Boulton probably should be a scratch come the playoffs. It might not happen, because the odds of this team being as healthy as joshd12’s lineup makes them out to be falls somewhere between “slim” and “none” on the scale. There are going to be injuries, and there is going to be a need to pencil in lesser players to replace those wounded bodies. Personally, I’m not expecting Travis Zajac back this season…. and I’ve heard others comment that they don’t expect Henrik Tallinder back this year.

by acasser on Feb 7, 2012 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

And I~~‘ve heard~~ feel Zharkov won’t be called up :(

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 7, 2012 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

Did you just become a Devils fan this season? How are you unfamiliar with Zharkov?

It has nothing to do with Boulton’s inability to score. He scored more goals than Zharkov last year. Zharkov’s inability to put the goal in net is well documented. But that’s not why he’s got so many fans around here. He’s defensively sound, positionally sound, quick and drives pay forward.

Really what’s the point of sticking Boulton out there to play with Josefson and Bernier?

by Zelepukin on Feb 7, 2012 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

I’m also jumping ahead here with Bernier, who’s still currently our 3rd liner until Zubes moves back to RW.

by Zelepukin on Feb 7, 2012 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

I usually don’t get to see the games. I follow them on here, and I also watch clips. I haven’t really seen him play live. Sorry. I don’t have gamecenter, and haven’t found out about streaming until this year. Just haven’t been able to watch what you have.

Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies

by joshd12 on Feb 7, 2012 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

You wouldn’t see him even if you watched every game this year. He pretty much hasn’t played for the big club. Don’t feel bad, I don’t get the love affair everyone has with him either. He just hasnt done much to warrant it in my opinion. He may well, but its hard to say.

I feel the same about JJ who everyone loves too. 12 points in 42 NHL games, and what I would calll a habit of getting hurt. If hes as good as everyone thinks hes gonna be, they need to send him down once they get healthy. No sense in putting him on the 4th line for 8 minutesa night for his development.

by Chris Calabrese on Feb 8, 2012 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

What more can you ask for out of a forth liner?

Not being a liability any time he’s on the ice.

Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Everyone has more goals than Scott Gomez

by Kevin Sellathamby on Feb 7, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

Boulton means basically, one good move for 3 mistakes. He’s gonna throw a big hit, 3 seconds after he ices the puck stupidly. He’s physical, but he’s got zero hockey sense.

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 7, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions