The Doubleheader Dilemma: Navigating NHL Back-to-Backs
Apr 17, 2024
Let's chat about the grueling schedule our favorite NHL teams face, particularly the infamous back-to-back games. As much as we love the non-stop action, it's worth considering how this crunch time could be affecting the guys on the ice.
Feeling the Burn of Back-to-Backs
Did you know that back-to-back games could be the kryptonite to an NHL team's winning streak? Pierre P. Ferguson and Alain Haché dug into the numbers, and it turns out that teams on their second game of a back-to-back have a rough go of it, especially when they're hitting the road after a home game, with a whopping 29-point drop in their chances to win.
Winning Percentages Across Seasons:
- First Game of Back-to-Back:
- Overall: Held steady at 52.20%
- Home/Home: Jumped from 73.30% to 75.00%
- Home/Away: Steady at 67.20%
- Away/Away: No change at 46.90%
- Away/Home: Consistent at 36.20%
- Second Game of Back-to-Back:
- Overall: Steady at 49.80%
- Home/Home: Dropped from 53.30% to 56.30%
- Home/Away: Stayed low at 38.10%
- Away/Away: Slightly down to 41.90%
- Away/Home: Up to 48.30%
Why are these back-to-backs so tough?
- Fatigue: It's a real thing. Less rest equals tired minds and bodies, which equals not playing your best.
- Prep Time: Coaches are racing against the clock to get their game plans ready, and that can lead to missteps.
- Injury Risk: More games with less rest can mean more trips to the injury list.
Strategies to Tackle the Back-to-Back Challenge
- Lineup Rotation: Keep those legs fresh by mixing things up on the roster.
- Short Shifts: Quick changes can help keep the energy up.
- Special Teams Focus: Power plays and penalty kills can turn the tide, so they better be sharp.
- Game Plan Tweaks: Sometimes, you've got to play it safe and adjust your strategy on the fly.
Pro Tips for Pro Teams
- Smart Scheduling: Teams should try to cut down on travel between back-to-back games. Less time in the air means more time to recuperate.
- Youth Movement: These intense games are perfect for giving the rookies some ice time and letting them show what they've got.