Plus-minus is a statistic used in ice hockey to measure a player’s impact on scoring differential when they are on the ice. It provides insight into a player’s defensive abilities and overall contribution to their team’s success. Here’s how plus-minus works in hockey:
FAQs about Plus-Minus in Hockey:
1. How is plus-minus calculated?
Plus-minus is calculated by tracking the goal differential when a player is on the ice at even strength or on special teams. For example, if a player is on the ice for his team scoring a goal and not allowing any against, his plus-minus would increase by one.
2. What does a positive plus-minus mean?
A positive plus-minus indicates that a player’s team has outscored the opponent by the number of goals specified in the plus-minus. For example, if a player has a plus-minus of +5, it means his team has scored five more goals than the opposing team during the time he was on the ice.
3. What does a negative plus-minus mean?
A negative plus-minus means that a player’s team has been outscored by the number of goals specified in the plus-minus. For instance, if a player has a plus-minus of -3, it means his team has allowed three more goals than they have scored while he was on the ice.
4. Is plus-minus affected by power-play or shorthanded situations?
Yes, plus-minus includes goals scored and allowed during both power-play and shorthanded situations. This means that players can have a positive or negative plus-minus influenced by whether their team scores or allows goals in these special teams scenarios.
5. Can plus-minus be influenced by the goalie’s performance?
Yes, a goalie’s performance can impact a player’s plus-minus. If a goalie allows multiple goals while a player is on the ice, the player’s plus-minus will decrease even if they were not directly responsible for those goals.
6. How does plus-minus account for empty-net goals?
Empty-net goals are not factored into plus-minus calculations. Since they are scored when the opposing team pulls their goalie for an extra attacker, they do not reflect a player’s on-ice performance in terms of even strength or defensive contributions.
7. Can a player with a low plus-minus still be valuable to their team?
Yes, plus-minus is just one statistical measure of a player’s defensive abilities. A player with a low plus-minus may still contribute offensively, excel in other defensive areas like shot-blocking or penalty killing, or demonstrate strong leadership skills that may not be accurately reflected by this particular statistic.
BOTTOM LINE: Plus-minus is a useful statistic in hockey that highlights a player’s impact on scoring differential while on the ice. However, it should be considered alongside other performance metrics to get a comprehensive understanding of a player’s overall contributions to their team’s success.
