Hockey stats can provide valuable insights into a player’s performance and the overall state of a team. Here are five facts to help you understand how to read and interpret hockey stats:
1. Goals and assists: One of the most basic and important stats in hockey is goals scored by a player, as well as the number of assists they contribute. Goals indicate a player’s ability to put the puck in the net, while assists reflect their ability to set up scoring opportunities for their teammates.
2. Plus/minus rating: The plus/minus rating calculates the difference between the number of goals a player’s team scores when they are on the ice versus the number of goals scored by the opposing team. A positive rating indicates that the player’s team scores more goals than their opponents when they are playing, while a negative rating suggests the opposite.
3. Power play and penalty kill stats: Power play and penalty kill stats refer to a team’s performance when they have a man advantage or disadvantage, respectively. Power play stats highlight a player’s ability to capitalize on the opposition’s penalties, while penalty kill stats demonstrate their effectiveness in preventing the opponent from scoring when they are short-handed.
4. Time on ice: The time on ice stat measures the total minutes and seconds a player spends on the ice during a game. A high time on ice indicates that the player is heavily relied upon by their team and often plays a significant role in important situations such as power plays or penalty kills.
5. Save percentage and goals against average: These stats are specific to goaltenders and provide insights into their performance. Save percentage measures the percentage of shots a goalie stops, while goals against average calculates the average number of goals they allow per game.
Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions about reading hockey stats:
1. What is Corsi and Fenwick? Corsi and Fenwick are advanced stats that measure shot attempts. Corsi includes shots on goal, missed shots, and blocked shots, while Fenwick only considers shots on goal and missed shots. These stats provide an indication of puck possession and shot generation.
2. How can I interpret shooting percentage? Shooting percentage is calculated by dividing the number of goals by the total number of shots on net and multiplying it by 100. A higher shooting percentage suggests a player has a better shooting accuracy, while a lower percentage may indicate either poor shooting or good goaltending by the opponent.
3. What does PDO measure? PDO is an advanced stat that combines a team’s shooting percentage and save percentage to assess their overall luck. A PDO above 100 indicates the team has been fortunate, while a PDO below 100 indicates bad luck.
4. How can I understand a player’s offensive and defensive zone starts? Offensive and defensive zone starts indicate the percentage of faceoffs a player takes in the offensive or defensive zone. A high offensive zone start percentage indicates a player is often deployed in scoring situations, while a high defensive zone start percentage suggests a player is relied upon for defensive purposes.
5. What is the significance of a player’s advanced stats? Advanced stats like Corsi, Fenwick, and Zone Starts give a more comprehensive picture of player performance, as they consider factors beyond traditional stats. They help evaluate a player’s impact on puck possession, scoring chances, and defensive responsibilities.
Bottom line: Understanding hockey stats is crucial for fully comprehending player and team performance. Basic stats like goals and assists provide essential insights, while advanced stats offer a deeper understanding of a player’s contributions to the game. By becoming familiar with various hockey stats, you’ll be better equipped to assess players and teams accurately.
