Marchessault is one of three players in the NHL to have at least 580 shots on goal and 250 hits since the beginning of the 2016-17 season (582 shots on goal, 250 hits). When asked to name the other two, Marchessault guessed "Ovechkin." He had it half right; it's Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (784 shots on goal, 445 hits) and San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane (682 shots on goal, 326 hits).
When asked if he follows any advanced statistics, Marchessault, 27, replied, "I don't read into it, but I heard about it when [the analytics community] started calling me the 'Corsi god.' "
Corsi is an advanced statistic that uses the total amount of shot attempts (on goal, wide and blocked) to determine if a team or player is driving possession in a positive or negative way.
Marchessault earned that nickname playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015-16. Despite having seven goals in 45 games that season, Marchessault had an SAT percent (or Corsi) of 53.79, suggesting he was driving possession in a positive way and capable of scoring more in an elevated role.
He continued by saying, "I sometimes look at the box score after games and track ice time but that's about it."
But for those who do follow advanced stats, the numbers are a great way to determine how drastically the Golden Knights have improved since defenseman Nate Schmidt returned to the lineup on Nov. 18 after serving a 20-game suspension to start the season. Vegas, which went to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season, started the season 8-11-1, but is 10-3-0 since Schmidt is back.
"Gap-wise he's unbelievable, always in the right position," Marchessault said. "He shuts down the best players on the other team every night and his quick transition game is what makes him our best defenseman."
Since making his season debut, Schmidt is second among Golden Knights defenseman in SAT percentage (54.95) behind Shea Theodore (55.42). It's worth noting Theodore starts more than 57 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, compared to Schmidt, who starts 52 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the defensive zone.
With Schmidt able to burden more defensive responsibility, Vegas' top line of Marchessault, Reilly Smith and William Karlsson has combined for 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 13 games since Schmidt returned.
"We know it works, us three together," Marchessault said. "Getting chemistry like we have is hard, it's once in a lifetime."
