Sportsnet’s Rory Boylen posted a column which discusses the top puck-possession teams in the playoffs since 2008, and the Red Wings’ last Stanley Cup-winning team earns a significant nod in terms of “Corsi for” percentage, “Expected goals for,” “high-danger chances for percentage” and “shots percentage” from Natural Stat Trick:
2008, Detroit: 60.38 CF% (1), 58.26 xGF% (1), 56.75 HDCF% (1), 60.26 SF% (1) (won the Cup)
The 2008 Detroit Red Wings remain the gold standard of puck possession playoff teams with a lineup that was loaded with Hall of Fame talent and they finished with a Stanley Cup win. Since 2008, no other team has reached at least the conference final and finished first overall in each of these statistical categories. The closest to repeating this feat may have been the 2015 Anaheim Ducks, who finished first in three of these categories, but were fourth-best when measuring Corsi. But that team also fell one win short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final.
Continued; Boylen notes that the Vegas Golden Knights of all teams are hot on the 2008 Wings’ heels.
