2) built a 3-1 lead. Palmer then scored in the second before to an empty

Having covered on-ice shooting and save percentages aleady, the next step is to look at the biggest variance in individual NHL player shooting percentages this season. While it might be easy enough to accept the notion that its difficult for a player to affect on-ice shooting or save percentages, because they are heavily-dependent on other players, its another matter entirely to accept the premise that an NHL player doesnt necessrily have a significant impact on his own shooting percentage in a given season. For one thing, as much as it might be convenient for viewrs, a single season isnt enough to capture a players true shooting ability, which means there is a high degree of variance possible. This variance is important, particularly in terms of perception, because its how players end up having career years. When Brett Hull scored 86 goals in 1990-1991, he finished a career-high 22.1% of all of his shots; 65 goals for Alex Ovechkin in 2007-2008? Scored on a career-high 14.6% of all of his shots. Teemu Selannes 76-goal rookie season came on 19.6% shooting, the best of his career. This is how seasons go from good to great but, just as save percentage is wildly unpredictable for goaltenders from one year to the next, so too is shooting percentage for individual players. This is relevant because perception is widely based on goal-scoring. Goals determine winners and losers and are easy to identify, but the reason we pay attention to these outlier percentages is to have have some idea whats real and what isnt. Take Blues LW Alexander Steen, for example. Hes enjoying the best season of his career, with 33 goals and 60 points in 64 games. Hes a tremendous two-way player who has probably been underrated, but hes received more accolades this year because hes become a more prolific goal-scorer. Even though his scoring has slowed since an outrageous start to the year, when he scored 17 goals in 18 games, Steen ranks fifth in the league in goals per game, behind Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin, Gustav Nyquist and Corey Perry. If Steen was finishing at his typical (5-on-5) rate, 8.87% over the previous five seasons coming into the year, that would knock 11 even-strength goals off his total and while 22 goals and 49 points in 64 games is a fine season, its not held in the same esteem as Steens 33-goal, 60-point season. When youve evaluating Steen going forward, is it fair to conclude that hes now the player who scores on 18.4% of his 5-on-5 shots, or is that departure from his established performance level essentially a fluke? There is a lot of randomness at play for a player to have his shooting percentage skyrocket, Steen (and his linemates -- David Backes and T.J. Oshie) deserve some credit because Steen is getting better quality shots than he has in previous seasons. Using Some Kind of Ninjas shot tracker, we can see that Steens average shooting distance, at even-strength, is 28.4 feet, his best of all years tracked since 2008-2009. So, getting shots 3-4 feet closer on average may account for some improvement, though most likely not enough to more than double his even-strength shooting percentage. Lets look at Nyquist, who had four goals in 40 NHL games entering this season and now has 28 goals in 51 games this year, virtually saving the Red Wings playoff chances. Even the most optimistic fan isnt going to expect Nyquist to keep scoring on more than 20% of his shots, simply because no one does. This isnt to rain on Nyquists current goal parade, because its awesome, but if we reasonably think that Nyquist might be an above-average shooter (even, as high as 12%), then that would typically mean 12 goals at 5-on-5 instead of 21 -- that nine-goal difference would be massive for both Nyquist and the Red Wings. Its the kind of thing that no player needs to apologize for, but everyone must understand that these runs will end and regression will bring a player closer to his real skill level. That can still be very good, just not necessarily the out-of-this-world pace that Nyquist is keeping now. By the same token, how many times do you hear a player, mired in a slump, say that they feel okay as long as they are getting their chances? Its cliche, but utterly true. Sure, this player might be snakebitten for 10 games, 20 games, even a whole season, but if there is an established level of being able to score, there have to be extreme reasons for that player to suddenly and dramatically lose that skill. If youre looking for bounceback players going into next season, then, consider some of those that saw their shooting percentages crash this year and, by contrast, you might consider selling high on those players that finished at an abnormally high rate this season. Below, youll see players that have the widest differentials in their previously-established 5-on-5 shooting percentages compared to their results this season. My thanks to stats.hockeyanalysis.com for the data. HIGH INDIVIDUAL SHOOTING PERCENTAGE (min. 10 5-on-5 goals in 2013-2014) Alexander Steen, LW, St. Louis 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 8.87 2013-14 5-on-5 SH%: 18.40 Difference: +9.53 Joe Pavelski, C, San Jose 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 8.19 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 16.80 Difference: +8.61 Ryan OReilly, LW, Colorado 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 6.98 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 15.13 Difference: +8.15 Joel Ward, RW, Washington 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 6.67 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 14.44 Difference: +7.77 Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 10.42 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 17.32 Difference: +6.90 Nick Foligno, LW, Columbus 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 7.89 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 14.74 Difference: +6.85 Artem Anisimov, C, Columbus 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.83 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 15.38 Difference: +6.45 Frans Nielsen, C, N.Y. Islanders 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 8.89 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 14.89 Difference: +6.00 Valtteri Filppula, C, Tampa Bay 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.96 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 17.20 Difference: +5.24 (Honourable mention to Nashvilles Nick Spaling, who has nine 5-on-5 goals, but has seen 5-on-5 shooting percentage jump from 8.38% to 13.64% and San Joses Martin Havlat, who only has eight goals, but his SH% is up from 9.47% to 16.00%.) LOW INDIVIDUAL SHOOTING PERCENTAGE (forwards with min. 20 5-on-5 goals from 2007-2008 through 2012-2013) Matt DAgostini, RW, Buffalo 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 7.54 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.53 Difference: -5.01 Todd Bertuzzi, RW, Detroit 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.95 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.76 Difference: -5.19 Torrey Mitchell, RW, Buffalo 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 7.62 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.33 Difference: -5.29 Mathieu Perreault, C, Anaheim 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 21.90 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 16.46 Difference: -5.44 Kyle Brodziak, C, Minnesota 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 10.20 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.49 Difference: -5.71 Blake Comeau, RW, Columbus 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.66 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 3.49 Difference: -6.17 Ryan Malone, LW, Tampa Bay 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.90 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 5.66 Difference: -6.24 Tomas Fleischmann, LW, Florida 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.58 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 5.26 Difference: -6.32 Colin Wilson, LW, Nashville 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 14.02 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 7.59 Difference: -6.43 Steve Ott, C, St. Louis 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.82 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 3.33 Difference: -6.49 David Jones, RW, Calgary 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 13.92 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 6.67 Difference: -7.25 Steve Bernier, RW, New Jersey 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.78 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.41 Difference: -7.37 Shawn Horcoff, C, Dallas 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 9.69 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.04 Difference: -7.62 T.J. Galiardi, LW, Calgary 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 10.31 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.47 Difference: -7.84 Benoit Pouliot, N.Y. Rangers 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 13.46 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.81 Difference: -8.65 Alexandre Burrows, RW, Vancouver 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 12.77 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 4.11 Difference: -8.66 Martin Erat, LW, Phoenix 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 11.90 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 2.50 Difference: -9.40 Marcus Johansson, LW, Washington 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 14.47 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 3.03 Difference: -11.44 Ville Leino, LW, Buffalo 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 12.50 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 0.00 Difference: -12.50 Steve Downie, RW, Philadelphia 2007-2013 5-on-5 SH%: 13.00 2013-14 On-ice SH%: 0.00 Difference: -13.00 Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Troy Apke Redskins Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Geron Christian Jersey .ca contributor Grant McCagg provides a look at some risers and fallers on the prospect watch. http://www.authenticshopredskins.com/Authentic_Alex_Smith_Redskins_Jersey/ . -- Omar Infante walked past the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, where he dressed so many times as a member of the Detroit Tigers, and slipped on a crisp, new Kansas City Royals jersey. Jonathan Allen Redskins Jersey . Halak, 28, split his eighth NHL seasons between the St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals, compiling a 29-13-7 record in 52 games. Washington Redskins Jerseys . Solomon Elimimian did not make the trip with the team after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury in the teams regular season finale against the Calgary Stampeders.EDMONTON -- Jack Palmer and the Victoria Royals were able to hold on to snap the Edmonton Oil Kings impressive win streak. Palmers second-period goal stood as the eventual winner as Victoria held off Edmonton for a 5-3 victory on Tuesday in Western Hockey League action. The loss snaps the Oil Kings nine-game win streak. That run catapulted Edmonton to third in the WHLs Eastern Conference. Matt Dykstra, Axel Blomqvist and Ben Walker all scored in the first period as the Royals (23-13-2) built a 3-1 lead. Palmer then scored in the second before the Oil Kings began to rally. Brandon Magees goal into an empty net with less than a minute to play added some insurance for Victoria. Patrik Polivka made 37 saves for the win. Mitchell Moroz, Lane Bauer and Dysin Mayo supplied the offence for Edmonton (23-10-1), while Tristan Jarry stopped 22 of 26 shots. The Royals could not score on their two power plays, while the Oil Kings went 1 for 5 with the man advantage. --- WARRIORS 4 RAIDERS 3 PRINCE ALBERT, Sask., -- Bryson Gore scored twice as Moose Jaw edged the Raiders 4-3. Brayden Point and Miles Warkentine also had goals for the Warriors (10-21-6), while Zachary Sawchenko made 29 saves for the win. Carson Perreaux opened the scoring for Prince Albert (17-16-2). Reid Gardiner and Dylan Busenius found the back of the net as well. Cole Cheveldave stopped 21 shots. --- BRONCOS 6 BLAZERS 3 SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. -- Captain Colby Cave had a pair of goals and an assist as the Broncos topped Kamloops 6-3. Dillon Heatherington, Jay Merkley and Glenn Gawdin had a goal and an assist for Swift Current (20-13-5), while Tanner LeSann added a single. Eetu Laurikainen made 27 saves in the Broncos net. Aspen Sterzer, Cole Ully and Josh Connolly all had power-play goals for the Blazers (9-23-4). Taran Kozun stopped 39 shots. --- ROCKETS 7 BLADES 1 SASKATOON -- Carter Rigby struck twice as Kelowna blasted the Blades 7-1. Mitchell Wheaton scored and added three assists for the Rockets (28-3-2), while Rourke Chartier had a goal as part of a three-point night. Zach Franko, Tyson Baillie and Myles Bell rounded out the attack for Kelowna, while Jackson Whistle turned aside 27 shots. Chase Clayton was the lone scorer for Saskatoon (10-25-3) and Alex Moodie made 44 saves. --- HITMEN 6 PATS 3 CALGARY -- Greg Chase had two power-play goals to lead the Hitmen to a 6-3 victory over Regina. Ben Thomas, Jake Virtanen, Alex Roach and Linden Penner also scored as Calgary (22-7-5) built a 6-0 lead. Chris Driiedger made 25 saves as the Hitmen earned a point in their 10th consecutive game.dddddddddddd Connor Gay, Colby Williams and Adam Brooks replied in the third period as the Pats (18-14-4) mounted a comeback. Dawson MacAuley stopped 13 of 16 shots in 32:10 of work. Nick Schneider turned aside six of nine shots. --- HURRICANES 5 ICE 4 (SO) CRANBROOK, B.C. -- Reid Duke was the lone scorer in the shootout as Lethbridge upset Kootenay 5-4. Duke also scored in regulation for the Hurricanes (6-27-5), as Kolten Olynek, Riley Sheen and Giorgio Estephan had goals as well. Corbin Boes made 31 saves. Luke Philp scored twice for the Ice (18-16-3). Kyle OConnor and Tim Bozon found the back of the net too. Wyatt Hoflin stopped 10 of 13 shots in 14:20, being chased by Dukes power-play goal in the first period. Mackenzie Skapski turned aside 23 of 24 shots in relief. --- REBELS 5 TIGERS 2 RED DEER, Alta. -- Lukas Sutter scored twice as the Rebels downed Medicine Hat 5-2. Captain Conner Bleackley had a goal and two assists for Red Deer (17-16-2), while Wyatt Johnson and Adam Musil chipped in as well. Patrik Bartosak was solid in net, making 46 saves for the win. Captain Curtis Valk and Tommy Vannelli both scored with the man advantage for the Tigers (21-11-3). Daniel Wapple stopped 25 of 29 shots. --- SILVERTIPS 4 WINTERHAWKS 2 PORTLAND, Ore. -- Joshua Winquist opened and close the scoring for Everett, which ended a three-game losing streak with its 4-2 win over the Winterhawks. Jujhar Khaira and Carson Stadnyk also scored for the Silvertips (22-10-4), who had period leads of 2-0 and 2-1. Chase De Leo and Paul Bittner replied for Portland (23-8-4). Silvertips netminder Austin Lotz stopped all 14 shots he faced over 26 minutes, and Daniel Cotton turned away seven of the nine headed his way. Brendan Burke made 31 saves for the Winterhawks. --- THUNDERBIRDS 5 AMERICANS 2 KENT, Wash. -- Branden Troock had two goals and an assist, and Alexander Delnov had a goal and three assists in the Thunderbirds 5-2 victory over Tri-City. Delnov opened the scoring, and Ryan Gropp made it 2-0 Seattle (21-10-4) in the first period before Brandon Carlo scored his second of the season for the Americans (17-16-3). Shea Theodore restored the Thunderbirds two-goal lead in the second period, and Troock sandwiched goals around one by Braden Purtil in the third period, to account for all the scoring. Danny Mumaugh made 30 saves for Seattle, while Evan Sarthou turned away 32 shots for Tri-City. Cheap Celtics Jerseys Wholesale Nets Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Stitched 76ers Jerseys Raptors Jerseys China Cheap Bulls Jerseys Wholesale Cavaliers Jerseys Pistons Jerseys China Pacers Jerseys China Cheap Bucks Jerseys Online Wholesale Hawks Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Wholesale Heat Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Wizards Jerseys Nuggets Jerseys China Timberwolves Jerseys China Cheap Thunder Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Blazers Jerseys Wholesale Jazz Jerseys Cheap Warriors Jerseys For Sale Cheap Clippers Jerseys Lakers Jerseys China Wholesale Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Authentic Cheap Mavericks Jerseys Rockets Jerseys China Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys Wholesale Pelicans Jerseys Spurs Jerseys China ' ' '