Save percentage is one of the most important statistics in hockey, and it’s a crucial measure of a goalie’s performance. But how is this number calculated? In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore the intricacies of save percentage and how it’s figured out in hockey.
Save percentage is a simple calculation, but it’s impacted by many factors, including a goalie’s skill, team defense, and the overall style of play. We’ll delve into these factors and more, as we explain the nuances of this important statistic. Whether you’re a fan or a player, this guide will give you a deeper understanding of how save percentage works and what it can tell you about a team or a goalie’s performance on the ice.
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Behind the scenes of the save percentage formula
While save percentage may seem like a straightforward statistic, it’s actually more complex than it appears. The formula takes into account every shot on goal a goalie faces, and whether or not they were able to stop it. But how exactly is the calculation made? Let’s take a look behind the scenes of the save percentage formula.
Understanding the formula
The save percentage formula is calculated by dividing the number of shots a goalie saves by the total number of shots they face. This percentage is then multiplied by 100 to get the final number. For example, if a goalie faces 30 shots and saves 27 of them, their save percentage would be 90%.
It’s important to note that the formula only takes into account shots on goal, and not shots that hit the post or crossbar. Additionally, it doesn’t consider goals that were scored on power plays or shorthanded situations.
Factors that influence save percentage
- Goaltender Skill: A goalie’s skill level and ability to stop pucks can greatly impact their save percentage. Some goalies are simply better at making saves than others, due to their athleticism, quick reflexes, or positioning.
- Team Defense: The defensive system a team employs can also impact a goalie’s save percentage. If a team allows a lot of high-quality scoring chances, it can be harder for a goalie to make saves and maintain a high save percentage.
- Style of Play: Finally, the style of play of both the goalie and the team can impact save percentage. For example, a goalie who plays a more aggressive style and challenges shooters may face more shots, but also have a higher save percentage due to their positioning and ability to cut down angles.
The importance of save percentage
Save percentage is a key statistic used to evaluate a goalie’s performance, and is often used in conjunction with other metrics like goals against average and shutouts. A high save percentage indicates that a goalie is doing a good job of stopping pucks and keeping their team in the game, while a low save percentage may indicate that they are struggling or need to make improvements.
For teams and coaches, save percentage is an important tool for evaluating their goalies and making decisions about who to play and when. It’s also a valuable metric for scouts and analysts who are evaluating players for potential trades or signings.
Overall, save percentage is a complex and important statistic that provides valuable insights into a goalie’s performance. By understanding how it’s calculated and the factors that influence it, fans and analysts can gain a deeper appreciation for the skill and athleticism required to play the position at the highest level.
The impact of team defense on a goalie’s save percentage
Team defense is a crucial factor in determining a goalie’s save percentage. The save percentage is calculated by dividing the number of saves a goalie makes by the total number of shots they face. However, the quality of those shots can vary greatly depending on the defense in front of the goalie.
The more a team limits their opponent’s high-danger chances and shots on goal, the higher the likelihood of a goalie having a better save percentage. On the other hand, a team with a poor defense may leave their goalie exposed to more high-quality shots, resulting in a lower save percentage for the goalie. A goalie’s success is often tied to the success of their team defense.
Factors that impact team defense
- System: Each team has its own defensive system and style of play that they utilize. Some teams may prioritize a more aggressive style of defense, while others may focus on limiting high-danger chances.
- Player personnel: The quality and skill of a team’s defensemen and forwards can greatly impact the effectiveness of the team’s defense.
- Special teams: A team’s penalty kill and power play units can also have an impact on their overall team defense. Strong penalty killing can prevent the opposing team from scoring, while a good power play can keep the opposing team on their heels and limit their offensive opportunities.
The importance of team defense in goalie evaluations
When evaluating a goalie’s performance, it is important to take into account the quality of the defense in front of them. A goalie may have a lower save percentage due to the high number of high-quality shots they face, but this does not necessarily mean that they are a bad goalie. On the other hand, a goalie with a high save percentage may have benefited from a strong defense that limited their opponents’ quality shots.
When looking at a goalie’s statistics, it is important to consider the context in which they were achieved. A goalie’s save percentage is not solely a reflection of their individual performance, but also the performance of their team defense.
Save percentage vs. Goals against average (GAA): what’s the difference?
Save percentage and goals against average (GAA) are two key statistics that are used to evaluate the performance of a goaltender in hockey. While both stats are important, they measure different aspects of a goalie’s performance.
Save percentage measures the percentage of shots that a goalie saves out of the total shots faced. This is a key indicator of a goalie’s ability to stop shots and keep the opposing team from scoring. A high save percentage indicates that a goalie is doing a good job of stopping shots, while a low save percentage may indicate that a goalie is struggling to make saves.
What factors affect save percentage?
- The skill level of the opposing team’s players
- The number and quality of shots faced by the goalie
- The performance of the goalie’s teammates on defense
Goals against average (GAA), on the other hand, measures the average number of goals a goalie allows per game. This statistic takes into account both the number of shots faced and the number of goals allowed, making it a more comprehensive measure of a goalie’s performance.
What factors affect GAA?
- The number and quality of shots faced by the goalie
- The performance of the goalie’s teammates on defense
- The number of penalties taken by the goalie’s team
While both stats are important, save percentage is generally considered to be the more important of the two, as it directly measures a goalie’s ability to stop shots and prevent goals. However, goals against average (GAA) is still a valuable measure of a goalie’s performance, as it takes into account the quality of shots faced and can help to identify weaknesses in a goalie’s game.
How to evaluate a goalie’s performance beyond save percentage
Goalie’s performance can be evaluated beyond just their save percentage. While save percentage is a critical statistic to measure a goalie’s performance, it does not always give a complete picture of their skills. Here are some other metrics to consider when evaluating a goalie’s performance:
Goals Against Average (GAA)
The Goals Against Average or GAA is another important statistic to consider when evaluating a goalie’s performance. This metric calculates the average number of goals a goalie allows per game. A goalie with a low GAA indicates they are effectively stopping shots and preventing the opposing team from scoring. However, a goalie’s GAA can be influenced by their team’s defensive performance as well.
Quality Starts
- Quality Starts (QS) is a metric that determines a goalie’s effectiveness in keeping their team in the game. A goalie is given a Quality Start if they achieve a save percentage equal to or greater than the league average. This metric is important because it shows how often a goalie is performing at an average or above-average level. A goalie with a high QS percentage indicates they are consistent in their performance and can be relied upon to keep their team in the game.
High-Danger Save Percentage
High-Danger Save Percentage (HDSV%) measures a goalie’s performance in stopping shots taken from high-danger scoring areas, such as shots taken close to the net. This metric is important because these types of shots are typically more difficult to stop, and a goalie’s ability to do so can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. A goalie with a high HDSV% indicates they are effective in stopping high-scoring opportunities.
While save percentage is an important statistic to evaluate a goalie’s performance, it is not the only metric to consider. By also looking at metrics such as GAA, Quality Starts, and High-Danger Save Percentage, you can gain a more complete picture of a goalie’s abilities and overall performance on the ice.
The evolution of save percentage as a statistic in hockey
Save percentage is a key statistic in hockey that has evolved over the years. Originally, save percentage was not even recorded as a statistic. It wasn’t until the 1982-83 season that the NHL began officially tracking save percentage as a statistic. Since then, save percentage has become one of the most important metrics used to evaluate a goaltender’s performance.
The significance of save percentage as a statistic cannot be understated. It provides a clear and concise way to evaluate a goaltender’s ability to stop pucks. However, save percentage is not without its limitations. It doesn’t account for the quality of shots faced or the performance of the team in front of the goaltender. That’s why it’s important to evaluate a goaltender’s performance beyond just their save percentage.
The limitations of save percentage
- Quality of shots faced: Save percentage doesn’t take into account the difficulty of the shots a goaltender faces. A goaltender who faces a lot of high-quality scoring chances may have a lower save percentage than a goaltender who faces a lot of low-quality scoring chances.
- Team performance: A goaltender’s performance is often influenced by the team in front of them. A team that gives up a lot of shots and scoring chances may have a goaltender with a lower save percentage than a team that plays a more defensive style.
Other metrics to evaluate goaltender performance
Goals saved above average (GSAA) is a metric that takes into account the quality and quantity of shots faced by a goaltender. It compares a goaltender’s save percentage to the league average save percentage and adjusts for the number of shots faced. A positive GSAA indicates that a goaltender has saved more goals than an average goaltender would have in the same situation.
High-danger save percentage is a metric that measures a goaltender’s save percentage on high-danger scoring chances. It provides insight into how well a goaltender performs on the most difficult shots they face.
Expected goals against (xGA) is a metric that estimates the number of goals a team should have given up based on the quality and quantity of shots faced. It provides a way to evaluate a goaltender’s performance relative to the quality of the shots they face.
By evaluating a goaltender’s performance using multiple metrics, including save percentage, GSAA, high-danger save percentage, and xGA, a more complete picture of their performance can be obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is save percentage in hockey?
Save percentage is a statistic used in ice hockey to measure the performance of a goaltender. It is calculated by dividing the number of saves a goalie makes by the number of shots they face, and is expressed as a percentage. A higher save percentage indicates a better performance by the goalie.
How do they calculate save percentage?
The formula for save percentage is simple: saves / (saves + goals against). This calculation is performed for each game and cumulatively for the entire season.
What is considered a good save percentage in hockey?
A good save percentage for a goaltender in ice hockey depends on the level of competition they are playing in. In the NHL, a save percentage of .915 or above is considered good, while a save percentage of .930 or above is considered excellent.
Is save percentage the only statistic used to evaluate goaltenders?
Save percentage is one of several statistics used to evaluate the performance of a goaltender in ice hockey. Other important statistics include goals against average (GAA), wins, shutouts, and quality starts.
What factors can affect a goaltender’s save percentage?
There are several factors that can affect a goaltender’s save percentage, including the quality of the defense in front of them, the level of competition they are facing, and the number of shots they face. Other factors include the goaltender’s skill level, their physical conditioning, and their mental toughness.