3:14 Of the 20 most-used forward lines this season, Mal/Dowd/NAK had the 6th-lowest expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (2.24)... *despite starting in the D-zone 90% OF THE TIME* That means all but FIVE offensive, elite scoring lines were giving up chances-against more often than a line who almost never started in the O-zone.
As a Sabres fan, this video made me feel a lot better about signing Aube-Kubel and Malenstyn this offseason! Great video with actual analysis, you have a new subscriber!
Also it is interesting how easy it is to explain why a player or line is good offensively(Lots of goals, good passer/playmaker, Shooting% etc.) but way more complicated and difficult to explain why a player or line is good defensively. Tbh might be why we don't have a defensive defenseman of the year award even though those guys deserve absolutely deserve recognition.
Wholeheartedly agree. Even the dZS% stat only *implies* defensive skill, and can't be 100% tied directly to it, unlike goals/points/etc. can to offensive skill. Before I started making the video, I polled Caps fans to ask if they had any non-goal, defense-oriented highlights or at least memories of Dowd that I could dig up. I only got one, which goes to show how poorly-documented good defensive plays are. Thank you for watching!
@@PinholesGraham disagree i think offensive ability can be deceptive in terms of stats too. getting your team in good positions or being in good positions may not lead to tangible points
You just sung a song directly to the hearts of Caps fans. We love love love Nic Dowd, and watching his line was one of the highlights we would always look forward to throughout the season. And the utter dominance of the Beck-Dowd-NAK line was probably the strongest storyline of the year. I would always get a smile on my face watching them hop out onto the ice. My friend and I refer to ourselves as captains of the fourth line fan club, we loved the Dowd Line 1.0 with Hagelin and Hathaway, and the Dowd Line 2.0 with Beck and NAK was simply a delight, even though they got terrible assignments every single time. And Carbs put SO much trust in them. Obviously we know Dowd is the best at his job, but I was really impressed with way Beck blossomed into the role especially since this was his first year as a full-time NHLer. [Beck is absolutely Carbs’ favorite, btw. He’s played the most games under Carbs out of everyone he’s ever coached, took on that tough 4th line role, was always the first one thrown out there on the PK, and there were even games this year when he played like 20+ minutes and led the forwards in ice time lol it was comical.] I’ve screamed about all the things you said in this video so much throughout the year, Dowd deserves so so so much credit for what he does. A part of this is he’s so good at specifically shutting down star players on the other team, he’s really good at doing this against Crosby, MacKinnon, and McDavid especially. There’s no way he doesn’t annoy the shit out of Crosby given how good he is at winning faceoffs against him and shutting him down. I went on a bit of a rant here but I just love Dowd and the fourth line so so much and I want to sing their praises always, and I’m so glad you did so in this video. And given the Judge Judy reference in your credits you’re clearly In The Know 😉, so you know how important and incredibly valuable Nic Dowd is
like in all sports. DEFENCE is the most underrated aspect of the game. As a caps fan I remember the amazing defensive plays of guys like Jay Beagle during our cup run.
I've been a Caps fan since about the 2012 season (around the time I moved to the DC area). I've never seen the stats so clearly drawn up, but as a guy who always killed penalties I knew this guy was special. It's so amazing to see it so clearly demonstrated in these stats. BRAVO!
this was such an interesting look into something that can get glossed over so eaaily, like with how fast hockey players can cross the ice from one end to the other I haven't really thought abt how often someone has to start a shift on the d-zone, but then there's the times when a team just struggles to cross the blue line and the importance of an o-zone faceoff gets amplified
THANK YOU for posting this. We caps fan have been so proud of dowders for a while and felt he didn't get enough credit. Also only the 3rd Alabama born player in NHL.
One thing to mention real quick is that Dowd has been putting up these stats while playing under 70 games a season. Last season, he played 64 games, but his toi has been a career high at 15:12. Not bad for a guy who got only 1 4th place votes in the Selkie voting.
DUDE! You are meant to be a hockey youtuber, this video is absolutely fantastic. You are a true capitols fan and are doing them so much justice with this vid, I love to see it.
anytime the caps are ever mentioned i perk up because we might as well be irrelevant in the news discussions without ovi lol. seeing this video is amazing, uncovering the truths behind our team to the public, and i very much appreciate that Pine. Amazing video
I gotta say these are the some of the most enjoyable and thoroughest sports mini-documentaries I’ve seen on YT. Very @jonbois reminiscent. Thanks for the amazing content.
Absolutely fantastic analysis and very interesting video. As someone who likes to look for more unsung players in the NHL, I really appreciate this type of content on top of your in depth series rewinds. There's a lot of mediocre and bad hockey youtubers, but you are definitely not one of them. Keep up the great work!
Wow this is amazing i’m speechless. i’ve been hockey minded for my whole life, but started really paying attention and watching the game every season since 2019. 2019 really opened my eyes to this sport on how amazing it is. This single video unlocked a whole new perspective i’ve thought of but never this in depth. This is legendary. You are amazing!
Man...great video. Came here from Hockey Psychology and... **SUBSCRIBE** Dowd is one of those guys that you always sort of like, but can't quite figure out why. LOVED this explanation! Well done, sir.
Fantastic video and I can't imagine the amount of work that goes into this. I would love to see a similar video about defensive defensemen but you clearly know your stuff so make whatever the heck you want.
I started watching this when it came out, and i can't remember why i didn't finish it, but I'm so glad i remembered it existed, cause this video was great
This is one of the most well done video I’ve watched this yr. I noticed Dowd, Aube-Kubel, & Malenstyn kick the flyers ass in that last game, I knew it was more than just luck. Great Video
It’s gonna be tragic if he retires cupless. Missed out on the Caps cup run by one season. That 2019 team looked so good, too. I feel like if they had survived Carolina they had a real good chance at repeating (maybe not now that I remember Oshie went down for the rest of the playoffs). Or if they HADN’T FIRED TROTZ for Reirden who double shifted Ovi and Backstrom into the dirt like it was 2008. Regardless, Dowd has been awesome to watch every year since the Caps acquired him, and while he’s one of my favorites on the team right now a huge part of me wanted to see him traded to a true contender because he is awesome. He doesn’t deserve to be stuck on the sinking ship in Washington while he’s still this good.
Something that fascinates me is just how underrated Dowd is, and how Edmonton ALMOST got Malenstyn as well this trade deadline. Seriously, this 4th line is one of the best in hockey. I remember when it was the MC2 line with Martin-Clutterbuck-Cizikas 😅
I remember when Gaustad was with the Sabres. My grandfather couldn't believe that Nashville gave up a 1st round pick to get him for their playoff runs.
The caps in general do a great job of creating lines based on identity rather than skill level. The fourth line isn’t their worst players, it’s their best defense players. Each of the caps lines is built around a specific role that they’re meant to fill. You can also see this in their current second line of Tom Wilson, Connor McMichael, and Pierre-Luc Dubois that’s built around their forechecking ability.
This is the kind of analysis people should aspire to and demand in a sport where the "good defence" debate has been dominated by "who blocks the most shots" for eons.
So glad someone is showing nic dowd’s stats for this year. It’s truly impressive and the reason they made the playoffs is solely due to the fourth line being responsible.
unreal stuff as always. would you ever consider doing a video about the CBJ sweep of the Lightning? The drama of that season for CBJ with all the stars leaving on top of years of being ~not excellent~ vs. the Lightning being greeted at the beginning of a great career - sounds like a good time to me
I always wanted to make this video about Phil Danault back when he was with the Habs, but the guy just had to go to LA, break out offensively too in the boxcar stats (funny considered his line always crushed opposition at 5v5) and actually get the recognition he deserved. Oh well.
13:21 i was at this game! i knew how good dowd was as a kings fan before he found his home in washington i just checked who the kings traded him for in 2017 and the answer is jordan subban. 1 for 1. i'm going to pretend i didn't see that.
I agree! Unfortunately, as mentioned elsewhere, those are the kinds of plays that are a) easy to miss, and b) not made available in highlights or in general. I went through all of my gameday open thread comments on Capitals blogs and forums, looking for times when I noticed great defensive plays by Dowd. Unfortunately, almost no footage of them exists anywhere I could find. Most all of the time, the plays could be chalked up to one of winning a faceoff smooth as butter back to the D-man who initiated a breakout, lightning-quick reflexes to break up a pass or interfere with possession, or something along the lines of a skill play (batting the puck, no-look pass, etc.) to maintain possession under pressure. It's hard to accurately describe them in aggregate though because good defensive plays are so diverse in nature. The easiest place to find defensive plays by Dowd (while not 5v5) is on the penalty kill. But even that isn't a great substitute since the context is so different.
I've been saying he's an underrated player ever since he got to Washington! That goal vs NJ was when everyone first saw some of the talent this guy has. He just doesn't do it a lot because his role is to be a reliable defensive presence
Back in 2018, I wasn't happy with the Caps parting way with Beagle and bringing in Dowd, who I've never heard of. But somehow, he turns into a Beagle++, and it might be one of the better deal we made in the past decade, maybe even on the level of that trade to bring in TJ, and leaps and bounds better than trading Kuemper for PLD.
the last line made me a bit sad, because it reminded me of how we don't have the other nic(k) (backstrom) to help ovi anymore. not that that's dowd's fault, he's fun and great, we're lucky to have him.
@pinholesGraham really liked the video and kind of off topic but what do you use to animate around 3:40 and does it only work for sports related content was just looking to do a documentary on my uncle and liked that style for a part, thanks
I used Google Earth! I followed this instructional video: ruclips.net/video/MfM7cqOlgds/видео.html Have fun making your doc! Let me know when it's finished!
Lmaoo I like the sound of "common pinholes graham masterclass" thank you! If you're serious about the financial support, shoot me an email at pinholesgrahamyt@gmail.com and I'll get back to you :) Thanks for watching!
3:14 Of the 20 most-used forward lines this season, Mal/Dowd/NAK had the 6th-lowest expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (2.24)...
*despite starting in the D-zone 90% OF THE TIME*
That means all but FIVE offensive, elite scoring lines were giving up chances-against more often than a line who almost never started in the O-zone.
“really remarkable for a guy who’s more likely to get killed by a vending machine than take an offensive zone draw” god-tier writing, 10/10
Nic Dowd? More like, I need some Dic Nowd!
Wellen Dowd
Bro is on to nothing
DIC NOWD
Crazy word play, are u eminem?
bars
I am now a Nic Dowd fan, what a beauty
Spread the word of Nic dowd dude he’s electric
As a Sabres fan, this video made me feel a lot better about signing Aube-Kubel and Malenstyn this offseason! Great video with actual analysis, you have a new subscriber!
Fuck yes this hockey stat nerd shit is right up my alley!
Also it is interesting how easy it is to explain why a player or line is good offensively(Lots of goals, good passer/playmaker, Shooting% etc.) but way more complicated and difficult to explain why a player or line is good defensively. Tbh might be why we don't have a defensive defenseman of the year award even though those guys deserve absolutely deserve recognition.
Wholeheartedly agree. Even the dZS% stat only *implies* defensive skill, and can't be 100% tied directly to it, unlike goals/points/etc. can to offensive skill. Before I started making the video, I polled Caps fans to ask if they had any non-goal, defense-oriented highlights or at least memories of Dowd that I could dig up. I only got one, which goes to show how poorly-documented good defensive plays are.
Thank you for watching!
@@PinholesGraham disagree i think offensive ability can be deceptive in terms of stats too. getting your team in good positions or being in good positions may not lead to tangible points
You just sung a song directly to the hearts of Caps fans. We love love love Nic Dowd, and watching his line was one of the highlights we would always look forward to throughout the season. And the utter dominance of the Beck-Dowd-NAK line was probably the strongest storyline of the year. I would always get a smile on my face watching them hop out onto the ice. My friend and I refer to ourselves as captains of the fourth line fan club, we loved the Dowd Line 1.0 with Hagelin and Hathaway, and the Dowd Line 2.0 with Beck and NAK was simply a delight, even though they got terrible assignments every single time. And Carbs put SO much trust in them. Obviously we know Dowd is the best at his job, but I was really impressed with way Beck blossomed into the role especially since this was his first year as a full-time NHLer. [Beck is absolutely Carbs’ favorite, btw. He’s played the most games under Carbs out of everyone he’s ever coached, took on that tough 4th line role, was always the first one thrown out there on the PK, and there were even games this year when he played like 20+ minutes and led the forwards in ice time lol it was comical.] I’ve screamed about all the things you said in this video so much throughout the year, Dowd deserves so so so much credit for what he does. A part of this is he’s so good at specifically shutting down star players on the other team, he’s really good at doing this against Crosby, MacKinnon, and McDavid especially. There’s no way he doesn’t annoy the shit out of Crosby given how good he is at winning faceoffs against him and shutting him down. I went on a bit of a rant here but I just love Dowd and the fourth line so so much and I want to sing their praises always, and I’m so glad you did so in this video. And given the Judge Judy reference in your credits you’re clearly In The Know 😉, so you know how important and incredibly valuable Nic Dowd is
This means so much coming from another Caps fan, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it so much :)
Now picture this; Duhaime, Dowd, Raddysh. Best 4th line in hockey right now EASILY
like in all sports. DEFENCE is the most underrated aspect of the game. As a caps fan I remember the amazing defensive plays of guys like Jay Beagle during our cup run.
Sutherby, Steckel, Beagle, Dowd...the Caps have had an embarrassment of riches at 4C for a while.
God I miss Beagle
@@PinholesGrahamHershey Bears spit out good Defensive players! Roaring for 3!
I've been a Caps fan since about the 2012 season (around the time I moved to the DC area). I've never seen the stats so clearly drawn up, but as a guy who always killed penalties I knew this guy was special. It's so amazing to see it so clearly demonstrated in these stats. BRAVO!
this was such an interesting look into something that can get glossed over so eaaily, like with how fast hockey players can cross the ice from one end to the other I haven't really thought abt how often someone has to start a shift on the d-zone, but then there's the times when a team just struggles to cross the blue line and the importance of an o-zone faceoff gets amplified
THANK YOU for posting this. We caps fan have been so proud of dowders for a while and felt he didn't get enough credit. Also only the 3rd Alabama born player in NHL.
As a Alabama resident, it's nice to see a good player in the NHL born here.
You are one of the best hockey RUclipsrs out there. Your stats analysis is very good.
THE best
Aube-Kubel and Malenstyn are both on the Sabres now. I wonder if their play will help them break that post-season drought.
One thing to mention real quick is that Dowd has been putting up these stats while playing under 70 games a season. Last season, he played 64 games, but his toi has been a career high at 15:12. Not bad for a guy who got only 1 4th place votes in the Selkie voting.
Nic Dowd is as much responsible for the caps miracle playoff push as ovi, lindgren, or strome.
This is the type of analysis I aspire to.
DUDE! You are meant to be a hockey youtuber, this video is absolutely fantastic. You are a true capitols fan and are doing them so much justice with this vid, I love to see it.
Radek Faksa acknowledgement, video is good.
NIC DOWD RECOGNITION LETS FUCKING GO
The flow of these videos keeps getting better and better. Great watch
anytime the caps are ever mentioned i perk up because we might as well be irrelevant in the news discussions without ovi lol. seeing this video is amazing, uncovering the truths behind our team to the public, and i very much appreciate that Pine. Amazing video
I gotta say these are the some of the most enjoyable and thoroughest sports mini-documentaries I’ve seen on YT. Very @jonbois reminiscent.
Thanks for the amazing content.
I see this as propaganda for Nic Dowd to win the Selke. I respect it
HOLDUP, I am just noticing the Ryan Reaves bit here 7:09 😂😂😂
Absolutely fantastic analysis and very interesting video. As someone who likes to look for more unsung players in the NHL, I really appreciate this type of content on top of your in depth series rewinds. There's a lot of mediocre and bad hockey youtubers, but you are definitely not one of them. Keep up the great work!
Wow this is amazing i’m speechless. i’ve been hockey minded for my whole life, but started really paying attention and watching the game every season since 2019. 2019 really opened my eyes to this sport on how amazing it is. This single video unlocked a whole new perspective i’ve thought of but never this in depth. This is legendary. You are amazing!
Nic Dowd has been our unsung hero for so long now. That 4th line wouldn’t be possible without hin
Nic Dowd is the most underrated player in the NHL
Man...great video. Came here from Hockey Psychology and... **SUBSCRIBE** Dowd is one of those guys that you always sort of like, but can't quite figure out why. LOVED this explanation! Well done, sir.
you should cover Patrik Elias, he had the offensive production of a bull and the defensive work of an elite D-man
will always appreciate any video with bob miller making a call. thanks for the content PHG
This is what the Islanders Identity Line has been for us over the course of the last decade. Players like this deserve more recognition.
Fantastic video and I can't imagine the amount of work that goes into this. I would love to see a similar video about defensive defensemen but you clearly know your stuff so make whatever the heck you want.
I started watching this when it came out, and i can't remember why i didn't finish it, but I'm so glad i remembered it existed, cause this video was great
This is one of the most well done video I’ve watched this yr. I noticed Dowd, Aube-Kubel, & Malenstyn kick the flyers ass in that last game, I knew it was more than just luck. Great Video
It’s gonna be tragic if he retires cupless. Missed out on the Caps cup run by one season. That 2019 team looked so good, too. I feel like if they had survived Carolina they had a real good chance at repeating (maybe not now that I remember Oshie went down for the rest of the playoffs). Or if they HADN’T FIRED TROTZ for Reirden who double shifted Ovi and Backstrom into the dirt like it was 2008. Regardless, Dowd has been awesome to watch every year since the Caps acquired him, and while he’s one of my favorites on the team right now a huge part of me wanted to see him traded to a true contender because he is awesome. He doesn’t deserve to be stuck on the sinking ship in Washington while he’s still this good.
What an awesome video! I had never thought about the defensive zone starts statistic before!
Canucks legend Nic Dowd!
Something that fascinates me is just how underrated Dowd is, and how Edmonton ALMOST got Malenstyn as well this trade deadline. Seriously, this 4th line is one of the best in hockey. I remember when it was the MC2 line with Martin-Clutterbuck-Cizikas 😅
so how optimistic should I be about the sabres having malenstyn AND aube-kubel now
They don't have Dic Now
We want a series retro on the 2002 1st round Habs/Bruins with José Théodore and Saku Koivu still bald from radiations.
PG in his happy place, watching victorious Caps highlights... I'm here for it.
Nic Dowd: Hockey Guy
Nic Dowd...Huntsville, Alabama represent!
That's a masterpiece video. I'm impressed. Now going back to watch your library of previous ones.
Man this is a great video - I’d love to see more that delve into the unsung nuances of various different player archetypes in the league
I remember when Gaustad was with the Sabres. My grandfather couldn't believe that Nashville gave up a 1st round pick to get him for their playoff runs.
The caps in general do a great job of creating lines based on identity rather than skill level. The fourth line isn’t their worst players, it’s their best defense players. Each of the caps lines is built around a specific role that they’re meant to fill. You can also see this in their current second line of Tom Wilson, Connor McMichael, and Pierre-Luc Dubois that’s built around their forechecking ability.
Rewatching this since I’m just so proud of dowder lol
This is the kind of analysis people should aspire to and demand in a sport where the "good defence" debate has been dominated by "who blocks the most shots" for eons.
So glad someone is showing nic dowd’s stats for this year. It’s truly impressive and the reason they made the playoffs is solely due to the fourth line being responsible.
The most underated forward in this league. He really does a lot for this Caps team and it always goes unnoticed.
unreal stuff as always. would you ever consider doing a video about the CBJ sweep of the Lightning? The drama of that season for CBJ with all the stars leaving on top of years of being ~not excellent~ vs. the Lightning being greeted at the beginning of a great career - sounds like a good time to me
I always wanted to make this video about Phil Danault back when he was with the Habs, but the guy just had to go to LA, break out offensively too in the boxcar stats (funny considered his line always crushed opposition at 5v5) and actually get the recognition he deserved. Oh well.
Dowder getting the recognition he deserves... thank you sir
people really criminally underate and underapreciate nic dowd. its crazy to me.
This video is super well done tbh
LOL the press box pic for Reaves
I wish my channel was this good... love the new video!
It sounds cliche, but time and effort really do make all the difference! Keep at it :)
A Video about defensive forwards? Be still, my beating heart (my fav player is and will ever be Bergeron, I *live* for this aspect of hockey!)
This is the best video on this website. LOVE YOU NIC
13:21 i was at this game! i knew how good dowd was as a kings fan before he found his home in washington
i just checked who the kings traded him for in 2017 and the answer is jordan subban. 1 for 1. i'm going to pretend i didn't see that.
tbf the Kings have far worse trades in more recent memory and we do have a great 4c in Lizzote.
I genuinely think this is your best video yet. Amazing work
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching :)
This video makes me wonder what the numbers for the Coleman - Goodrow - Gourde line were like for Tampa in 2020
Incredible video. Dowd is the unsung hero of the Caps
It would be awesome to get more footage breakdowns with an analysis of what he's actually doing on the ice to warrant the d zone starts and success
I agree! Unfortunately, as mentioned elsewhere, those are the kinds of plays that are a) easy to miss, and b) not made available in highlights or in general. I went through all of my gameday open thread comments on Capitals blogs and forums, looking for times when I noticed great defensive plays by Dowd. Unfortunately, almost no footage of them exists anywhere I could find.
Most all of the time, the plays could be chalked up to one of winning a faceoff smooth as butter back to the D-man who initiated a breakout, lightning-quick reflexes to break up a pass or interfere with possession, or something along the lines of a skill play (batting the puck, no-look pass, etc.) to maintain possession under pressure. It's hard to accurately describe them in aggregate though because good defensive plays are so diverse in nature.
The easiest place to find defensive plays by Dowd (while not 5v5) is on the penalty kill. But even that isn't a great substitute since the context is so different.
I love hot defensive hockey takes. It sometimes feels like we can only ever have like three defensive guy in the league lmao
Well shit, now I want Nic Dowd on my team
Its interesting that the movement away from enforcers playing 4th line minutes are being replaced by defensive specialists.
literally gave me chills
My boi nic dowd is an absolute beauty!!!!!!
I've been saying he's an underrated player ever since he got to Washington! That goal vs NJ was when everyone first saw some of the talent this guy has. He just doesn't do it a lot because his role is to be a reliable defensive presence
Back in 2018, I wasn't happy with the Caps parting way with Beagle and bringing in Dowd, who I've never heard of. But somehow, he turns into a Beagle++, and it might be one of the better deal we made in the past decade, maybe even on the level of that trade to bring in TJ, and leaps and bounds better than trading Kuemper for PLD.
How does this man not have more subs
Nic Dowd, from Huntsville, Alabama of all places. Even more impressive.
the last line made me a bit sad, because it reminded me of how we don't have the other nic(k) (backstrom) to help ovi anymore. not that that's dowd's fault, he's fun and great, we're lucky to have him.
It's guys like Dowd and Noah Cates that should be in the Selke conversation
Let’s go Caps! I don’t know the stats for this year, but with how the offense has improved I would say there scheme seems to have improved
I see Teddy Blueger mentioned. Automatic top 5 video of all time.
Amazing video again, Graham. Keep up the good work!
ffs, did you just made me a Nic Dowd fan!? How is that possible :D
“More likely to get killed by a vending machine than take an offensive zone draw” is DIABOLICAL
I love Nic Dowd and I love you.
as a caps fan this video delights me
Best hockey account on RUclips.
Great video, impressive research!
Also i play the nhl game and love making solid franchises. This will surely help!
Well done.👍 Great video.
The photo for Reaves💀
0:00 Adam Oates
Fantastic video as always!
Brandon Carlo mentioned hell yeah
@pinholesGraham really liked the video and kind of off topic but what do you use to animate around 3:40 and does it only work for sports related content was just looking to do a documentary on my uncle and liked that style for a part, thanks
I used Google Earth! I followed this instructional video: ruclips.net/video/MfM7cqOlgds/видео.html
Have fun making your doc! Let me know when it's finished!
Someone send this to Nic Dowd’s agent asap 😂
Awesome video! Light-years better than anything else on NHL stuff... Can't wait till you get bought out by the capitals too 😅
Top quality videos, holy shit this is good!
More content bud
Love this channel
Pride of Alabama!
show this video to everyone who said dowd isn't worth a first round pick. he's the best at what he does and on a great contract.
Remember how good the Hahelin-Dowd-Hathaway line was a few years back. Hagelin getting hurt really sucked.
common pinholes graham masterclass, keep em coming, drop ur venmo under this u deserve compensation
Lmaoo I like the sound of "common pinholes graham masterclass" thank you!
If you're serious about the financial support, shoot me an email at pinholesgrahamyt@gmail.com and I'll get back to you :) Thanks for watching!