Home games vs away games

[Cricket]

I've seen some comments in passing stating this team sucks at home games or this team sucks at away games. So it's got me wondering. Why? What's the difference? Is there really a difference? Do players and hockey fans a like just psych themselves out? What are the real advantages and disadvantages to home and away games? Thoughts, questions, comments, concerns and are Dr. House and Dr. Cuddy going to get back together? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

Why do you ask questions that make me realize I know nothing about hockey?

 

[KillerVee]

Traveling to play is a bitch. Especially if it's a long flight and there are time changes involved.

 

[puckhead]

- home crowd adds a bit of energy, incentive, comfort, etc
- home team can change lines last (ie. line matching)
- visiting team puts their stick down first for faceoffs, so home team should win more
- traveling (non regular sleep patterns) can make it tougher to get the legs moving

 

[TiLoBrown]

- home crowd adds a bit of energy, incentive, comfort, etc
- home team can change lines last (ie. line matching)
- visiting team puts their stick down first for faceoffs, so home team should win more
- traveling (non regular sleep patterns) can make it tougher to get the legs moving

I wish EA would finally put atleast 1 of these things in to their NHL games

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

- home crowd adds a bit of energy, incentive, comfort, etc
- home team can change lines last (ie. line matching)
- visiting team puts their stick down first for faceoffs, so home team should win more
- traveling (non regular sleep patterns) can make it tougher to get the legs moving

Oh yeah. I probably woulda thought of two of those if I had had any more sleep last night.

 

[Cricket]

Ok. So far I've seen things in favor of why home games are easier. So why do you some teams seem to tank on home games but kick ass on away games?

 

[Cricket]

Why do you ask questions that make me realize I know nothing about hockey?

I already told you. Inquiring minds want to know. I'm trying to expend education here. If I happen to expand yours a bit you should thank me. :p

 

[puckhead]

Ok. So far I've seen things in favor of why home games are easier. So why do you some teams seem to tank on home games but kick ass on away games?

- try to impress the crowd instead of playing boring (but successful) system
- nagging wives, annoying kids.
- teams bond on the road
- home crowd can add pressure.

btw - USUALLY, teams win more at home.

 

[KillerVee]

Ok. So far I've seen things in favor of why home games are easier. So why do you some teams seem to tank on home games but kick ass on away games?

I don't know.

Maybe they have better chemistry when they're on the road because they spend so much time together. Or maybe they are less distracted when they are away because they're not dealing with their home life duties. Just guessing..

 

[elocomotive]

Ok. So far I've seen things in favor of why home games are easier. So why do you some teams seem to tank on home games but kick ass on away games?

Hockey is a game of momentum, both within the game itself and over long stretches for teams. When things are going well for your team, the goal looks two feet wider. When things are not going well, the goal looks like you have to fit a puck into the space the size of a soda can.

So while home crowd momentum can sometimes boost and energize a team (like in all sports), sometimes the pressure causes players to tighten up. And when your team's mo is not going well, I think this actually makes that soda can look even smaller.

Generally a road trip is tougher, but sometimes it gets teams away from that pressure, helps them bond, and they actually play better.

 

[Cricket]

Hockey is a game of momentum, both within the game itself and over long stretches for teams. When things are going well for your team, the goal looks two feet wider. When things are not going well, the goal looks like you have to fit a puck into the space the size of a soda can.

So while home crowd momentum can sometimes boost and energize a team (like in all sports), sometimes the pressure causes players to tighten up. And when your team's mo is not going well, I think this actually makes that soda can look even smaller.

Generally a road trip is tougher, but sometimes it gets teams away from that pressure, helps them bond, and they actually play better.

So here's a what if question. If home fans were a bit more laid back and understanding do you think that would improve the moments of "We have to win this for them"? That pressure if you will.

 

[Darkstone42]

There is some statistical evidence suggesting that teams win more at home than on the road. I think the only things that contribute to this are teams being more used to their boards and the bounces the puck takes off of them and the travel aspect. I also think the latter only applies where there's a shift in time zone. However, if the NHL makes a standard requirement for the way the boards are constructed, the numbers will likely shift toward equal.

Anything else is an anomaly. If a team over a stretch (or even a season) is better at home than on the road or vice versa by some significant margin, chalk it up to sample size.

 

[esls79]

In hockey as opposed to other sports, the home team gets more of an advantage. Last change and the advantage on the face offs as well. Also, if you happen to be a Habs fan, the 22,000 in the stands can influence the zebras as well, not to mention the ghosts of the old Forum...

 

[esls79]

There is some statistical evidence suggesting that teams win more at home than on the road. I think the only things that contribute to this are teams being more used to their boards and the bounces the puck takes off of them and the travel aspect. I also think the latter only applies where there's a shift in time zone. However, if the NHL makes a standard requirement for the way the boards are constructed, the numbers will likely shift toward equal.

Anything else is an anomaly. If a team over a stretch (or even a season) is better at home than on the road or vice versa by some significant margin, chalk it up to sample size.

Back in the days, the size of the rink wasn't always uniform like it is today (Boston Gardens). It's not just the boards or glass, it's the ice as well. Some teams are more suited to playing on fast hard ice as opposed to choppy slushy ice.

 

[puckhead]

So here's a what if question. If home fans were a bit more laid back and understanding do you think that would improve the moments of "We have to win this for them"? That pressure if you will.

no. fans want to see a winning team. that won't change.
good players and good teams will thrive on that pressure.


the canucks hired some outfit to monitor the sleeping habits of the players throughout the season.
they then looked at the next season's travel schedule and pinpointed the games that the team would have trouble in.
they were right about 90% of the time.

 

[IPostedWhat]

The correct answer is that there is no correct answer.

Too many variable play into any given game or situation depending on the team and how the season is going.

Teams on average should win more at Home, but players often say that they block out the crowd and focus on the game.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

The correct answer is that there is no correct answer.

Too many variable play into any given game or situation depending on the team and how the season is going.

Teams on average should win more at Home, but players often say that they block out the crowd and focus on the game.

Unless your name is Rick Rypien then you focus on the fans and block out the game

 

[davnlaguna]

- home crowd adds a bit of energy, incentive, comfort, etc
- home team can change lines last (ie. line matching)
- visiting team puts their stick down first for faceoffs, so home team should win more
- traveling (non regular sleep patterns) can make it tougher to get the legs moving

Hockey is the only sport (that I know of) where there are actual rules that give the home team an advantage.
Line changes are the biggest one. You can match the players against each other.
Most teams have a better home record than away. Sabers and Rangers have a better road record (there may be another)

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

I already told you. Inquiring minds want to know. I'm trying to expend education here. If I happen to expand yours a bit you should thank me. :p