I have been banging on quite a bit about the NHL and their new style scoreboard. It’s not much of a stretch to say I don’t care for some of the changes that have taken place. So, what else is there? What do you compare the efforts of NHL.com to? Here we go, and click on the images to enlarge.
First up, CBSSports.com:
That’s not bad. Here’s one of the cool things. Mouse over the little X’s in the diagram and you get…
AHHH!! Smyth, don’t do that to me. Jeez. But you can see where he shot from, what kind of shot, and where it went. The rest of the score sheet is pretty easy to read. Scroll down on the page for the scoring and penalties, and you have everything you need to keep track of the game. The daily leaders is a nice touch, but not necessary for the game at hand. Still, not bad, CBS.
Next up, Yahoo:
This is a little simple, but simple isn’t always bad. In fact, if you can make simple work, you are going to reach more people. Easy to read counts for a lot. Take a look at the hockey blogs out there, and you know what I’m getting at. The basic principle hasn’t escaped Yahoo. There isn’t a lot of interactivity, and zero graphics, but all of the important stuff is there. All of the information you need is on one page. Hey, do you guys give me access to the game preview even after the game is over? You are so nice.
ESPN.com isn’t all that great, but it’s there:
That’s a big damn long page. But just like everything in life, size doesn’t matter. The content isn’t bad, and it’s sort of easy to read. But it doesn’t do much for me. Still, ESPN, who fans accuse of hating and undermining hockey, has a better boxscore than NHL.com.
How about TSN.ca?
What am I missing here? Oh, yeah I know. Info on the EIGHT GOALS SCORED IN REGULATION!!! I think I just had an aneurism. So, at best, I would call this one functional.
(yes, I know it’s there, but it’s small, not in the game summary, and has no assist info. So there)
Now, compare all of that to this:
Game Summary
Event Summary:
Faceoff Comparison:
Shootout Summary:
And I won’t even get into the Time On Ice sheet. But if you read my previous post on the demise of the shift chart, you know how unwieldy it is. None of this is as easy to read as last year’s charts. For example:
While that isn’t the prettiest font in the world, the thing is easy to read, and you get the goalie info on the same sheet as the important parts of the game.
So, let me just sum this one up. There are so many places to go for your online box scores. And if you have to keep track of a game online, at least you have options. But unfortunately, NHL.com seems to be the worst of the lot. Great for all of the post game cut-and-paste spreadsheet types, but for a decent overview of the game, in simple format, they could do better.
Of course, maybe this is just be being pesky, the second greatest complement I have been paid all week. Seriously.
Feedreaders: Images are fun, and if you don’t see them, you should go to the main site. Don’t miss out on all the fun.
5 responses to “NHL Recaps Around the Web: Comparison Edition (graphic heavy)”
Damn brother…And I thought I was a fan…but I simply don’t have the energy or the time to track the game the way you do when I can’t see it live. Maybe my mind is wired a bit differently, but I lose to much enjoyment when just looking at stats because stats…well paint a picture but not often enough one that tells the whole story. The stats show that Ryan was working his tail off but he was not the goal scoring monster the stats might say he was…he was the benficiary of some poor defensive play. Before anyone calls me a hater, I will say that hard work counts for a lot and luck usually comes to those who work hard for it.
When I can’t see a game, my first instinct is to usually look for the next days paper or on-line articles for a more detailed story about how the game unfolded. I sometimes think my favorite board is a bit too emotionally attached to the moment at hand as when every goal against is followed by “the sky is falling” type posts and every goal for is followed by “we are the champions” type posts. Boom or bust…
Is that why you like the stats so much…they are impartial to fans and their take on the game? They are numbers that don’t care who wins or loses…they are just what they are…statistics that over the course of time can paint a broad picture without the use of images?
In a larger sense, I do like the more interactive charts…because I’m a visual type of guy, pure numbers don’t do much for my enjoyment of the game. I work with numbers all day long, I’d much rather see mucking in the corners, a good face-off or a simply beautiful tape-to-tape saucer pass through a couple of defenders for a one-timer. Stats can’t really paint that kind of picture for me.
I hope that NHL.com gets with it though…you’re not the only person that I’ve heard complain about their current system. For your entertainment of the game alone, I hope they get something better going.
I should explain a bit about why I watch the stats. I travel a lot, and I work nights and weekends. These days, it’s rare I get to see a hockey game, and even rarer that I get to see an Avs game.
The only way I can pay any attention at work is via the scoresheets. I usually have internet access, even in the middle of the theater, but I can’t use the audio, since I’m usually wearing headphones (if I’m running lights), or listening to the show (if I’m doing sound).
The scoresheets keep me up to date on the progress of the game. I don’t even care if the scoresheets are minutes behind. I just need them to be accurate, and have enough info to keep me in the game.
As for your favorite forum, I’ve noticed the same thing. I haven’t found a forum that I’m completely happy with yet. I want to discuss the game with people, but without all the childish crap that gets involved.
And believe me, I’d rather be able to watch the game, but given my circumstance, I don’t have much choice in the matter, for now.
Can we just have the shift chart back please! NHL.COM the first web site to bring it back (gets my business)
Nice work tapeleg thanks for addressing something that is pissin me the **** off.
I’m with you, Cupster. I wish I could do something.
I have been sending links like this to all the major sites feedback links.