Faceoff Comparison: Montreal-Washington

I have broken down the faceoffs between the centermen on the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens. I have included Brendan Morrison, Nicklas Backstrom, and David Steckel of the Washington Capitals.   I have not included Eric Belanger, who went 4 for 9 in his one game against the Canadiens this season while with Minnesota.  From Montreal I have included Tomas Plekanec, Scott Gomez, and Dominic Moore; their other major faceoff man, Glen Metropolit, is injured.

The Capitals should enjoy a solid territorial advantage against the Canadiens, they have done well against them in the circle, though the addition of Dominic Moore at the trade deadline may add to their strength.  Remember the first and third games of the season series were in Washington, for those tracking home and away faceoff success. 



Let's start with Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec.   He has taken the most faceoffs for the Canadiens this season, and has won 49.0% (791 of 1615). Here is a look at his game by game totals against the Capitals this season, which are less than impressive.

 

#14 Tomas Plekanec

Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	16	31	51.6%
11/28	7	21	33.3%
1/5	10	22	45.5%
2/10	16	33	48.5%
Totals	49	107	45.8%

The Capitals centers have all fared well against him, as shown below:
 

		Morrison
Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	3	5	60.0%
11/28	2	3	66.7%
1/5	2	7	28.6%
2/10	2	3	66.7%
Totals	9	18	50.0%
		Backstrom
Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	5	15	33.3%
11/28	7	10	70.0%
1/5	5	10	50.0%
2/10	12	22	54.5%
Totals	29	57	50.9%
		Steckel
Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	3	5	60.0%
11/28	2	4	50.0%
1/5	3	3	100%
2/10	1	3	33.3%
Totals	9	15	60.0%

The next Canadiens center to take a look at is Scott Gomez.  He has taken the second-most faceoffs for the Habs this season and has won 50.8% (698 of 1375).  Gomez  has had mixed success this season against the Caps.  (Note: He missed the November 28 game.) 

#91 Scott Gomez

Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	5	12	41.7%
1/5	7	16	43.8%
2/10	16	27	59.3%
Totals	28	55	50.9%

Among the Capitals centers, Nicklas Backstrom in particular has struggled against Gomez this season: 

		Morrison
Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	0	1	0%
1/5	2	2	100%
2/10	2	3	66.7%
Totals	4	6	66.7%
		Backstrom
Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	2	4	50.0%
1/5	0	3	0%
2/10	4	9	44.4%
Totals	6	16	37.5%
		Steckel
Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	1	2	50.0%
1/5	4	6	66.7%
2/10	2	4	50.0%
Totals	7	12	58.3%

The third center for the Habs I'll look at is Dominic Moore.  He has taken the third most faceoffs among Canadiens roster players and has won 55.1% (365 of 663).  He played three games against the Capitals this season while with the Florida Panthers.

#19 Dominic Moore

Game	Won	Total	Win%
12/3	11	17	64.7%
1/13	3	7	42.9%
1/29	5	6	83.3%
Totals	19	30	63.3%

The Capitals centers haven't faced him much this season, but two of them have been shut out against him.

		Morrison
Game	Won	Total	Win%
12/3	0	1	0%
1/13	0	2	0%
Totals	0	3	0%
		Backstrom
Game	Won	Total	Win%
12/3	1	2	50%
1/13	3	3	100%
1/29	0	2	0%
Totals	4	7	57.1%
		Steckel
Game	Won	Total	Win%
12/3	0	2	0%
1/29	0	1	0%
Totals	0	3	0%

Moving on to the Capitals centers briefly, Nicklas Backstrom has taken the most draws for the Washington Capitals and has won 49.9% (667 of 1336) this season, but has seemed to have trouble against the Habs.

#19 Nicklas Backstrom

Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	8	21	38.1%
11/28	8	17	47.1%
1/5	9	20	45.0%
2/10	17	32	53.1%
Totals	42	90	46.7%

David Steckel has taken the second-most draws for the Washington Capitals and has won a league second-best 59.2% (637 of 1076) this season, and had no trouble against Montreal.

#39 David Steckel

Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	7	13	53.8%
11/28	4	7	57.1%
1/5	10	12	83.3%
2/10	3	7	42.9%
Totals	24	39	61.5%

Veteran center Brendan Morrison took the third most draws for the Capitals this season and won a respectable 51.2% (501 of 978).  He did very well against Montreal.

#9 Brendan Morrison

Game	Won	Total	Win%
11/20	5	10	50.0%
11/28	6	10	60.0%
1/5	7	12	58.3%
2/10	8	13	61.5%
Totals	26	45	57.8%