Unlocking the Mystery of Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey! Understanding Plus Minus is a crucial aspect of creating a successful fantasy hockey team. It can be the difference between winning and losing in a tight matchup. Yet, it remains a mystery to many fantasy hockey players. In this guide, we will unlock the secrets of Plus Minus and provide you with the knowledge to dominate your fantasy hockey league.

For those new to fantasy hockey, Plus Minus is a statistical category that measures a player’s performance on the ice. A player earns a plus one for being on the ice when their team scores a goal at even strength or a shorthanded goal. Conversely, a player earns a minus one for being on the ice when their team allows a goal at even strength or shorthanded. Understanding how this stat is calculated and how to use it to your advantage is key to building a successful fantasy team.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Plus Minus in fantasy hockey, including how it affects your team, drafting strategies, and tips for managing it throughout the season. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to fantasy hockey, this guide will provide you with the tools to unlock the mystery of Plus Minus and gain an edge over your competition. So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets of Plus Minus in fantasy hockey!

Keep reading to discover how Plus Minus can impact your team, how to draft players based on this stat, and how to analyze it to maximize your points. With our comprehensive guide, you’ll have everything you need to know to take your fantasy hockey team to the next level.

Understanding Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey

Plus minus is a crucial statistic in fantasy hockey, and it’s essential to understand what it means and how it impacts your team’s performance. In simple terms, a player’s plus-minus is the difference between the number of goals scored by their team when they’re on the ice and the number of goals scored by the opposing team when they’re on the ice.

For example, if a player is on the ice for three goals scored by their team and two goals scored by the opposing team, their plus-minus would be +On the other hand, if a player is on the ice for two goals scored by their team and three goals scored by the opposing team, their plus-minus would be -1.

Plus-minus is an excellent way to evaluate a player’s overall contribution to the team. However, it’s not always an accurate reflection of their skill. A player on a strong team is more likely to have a positive plus-minus than a player on a weaker team, even if they have similar skill levels.

It’s also worth noting that plus-minus can be affected by factors outside of a player’s control, such as the strength of their team’s defense or the quality of their goaltending. Nevertheless, it’s an essential statistic to consider when drafting players and making lineup decisions.

What is Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey?

Plus minus is a statistic used in fantasy hockey that measures a player’s impact on the ice. It is a simple calculation that takes into account the number of goals scored while the player is on the ice (plus) and the number of goals scored against them while they are on the ice (minus).

1. Goals For: When a player is on the ice and their team scores a goal, they receive a plus-one. This means that the player contributed to their team’s success and their plus-minus rating improves.
2. Goals Against: When a player is on the ice and the opposing team scores a goal, they receive a minus-one. This means that the player was not successful in preventing the goal and their plus-minus rating decreases.
3. Even Strength: Plus minus is usually calculated at even strength, meaning there is an equal number of players on the ice for both teams. However, it can also be calculated for power plays and penalty kills.

The plus-minus statistic can be an important factor to consider when drafting players for your fantasy hockey team. However, it is not the only factor to consider. It is important to evaluate a player’s overall performance, their position, and their team’s performance as well.

How Plus Minus Affects Your Fantasy Hockey Team

Plus minus can make or break your team’s performance in fantasy hockey. If your players have a high plus minus rating, it means they are often on the ice for goals scored and can accumulate points for your team. However, if your players have a low plus minus rating, they are often on the ice for goals against, which can hurt your team’s chances of winning.

It’s important to note that plus minus is not the only statistic that matters in fantasy hockey. However, it can be a tiebreaker in head-to-head matchups or determine your team’s placement in the standings. Plus minus can also be a good indicator of a player’s overall defensive ability.

Players on high-scoring teams tend to have better plus minus ratings, as they are often on the ice for more goals scored than against. It’s also worth noting that defensemen tend to have higher plus minus ratings than forwards, as they are typically more involved in defensive plays.

It’s important to consider a player’s plus minus rating when making roster decisions or trades. You may want to avoid players with consistently low plus minus ratings or target players with high plus minus ratings to improve your team’s overall performance.

Why Plus Minus Matters in Fantasy Hockey

Impact on Team Points: Plus minus directly impacts your fantasy hockey team’s total points. It can help you win your matchups or leave you in the dust. Understanding how plus minus affects your team is crucial to winning in fantasy hockey.

Indication of Player Value: A player with a high plus minus is generally more valuable than a player with a low plus minus. It indicates that the player is on the ice for more goals scored than against.

Can Be Used for Strategic Drafting: Drafting players based on their plus minus can give you an advantage over your opponents. It can be particularly useful in head-to-head leagues where every point counts.

Helps Identify Trends: Monitoring plus minus trends throughout the season can help you identify which players are hot or cold. This information can be used to make roster changes or trades to improve your team’s performance.

The Impact of Plus Minus on Your Fantasy Hockey Team

Plus Minus and Winning: In fantasy hockey, winning is the ultimate goal. Plus minus can have a significant impact on the outcome of your matchups. If your players have a positive plus minus rating, it means they are contributing to your team’s success and helping you win.

Plus Minus and League Settings: Some fantasy hockey leagues count plus minus as a category, while others do not. It’s important to understand your league settings and how plus minus affects your team’s overall score. In leagues where plus minus counts, it’s crucial to draft players who have a history of positive plus minus ratings.

Plus Minus and Defensive Play: While plus minus is often associated with offensive production, it’s also a reflection of a player’s defensive play. Defensemen who are responsible in their own end and help prevent goals against will have a positive plus minus rating. When drafting your team, don’t overlook the importance of adding defensively responsible players to your roster.

Plus Minus and Trade Value: Plus minus can also have an impact on a player’s trade value in fantasy hockey. Players with high plus minus ratings are often sought after by other fantasy owners, making them valuable trade assets. On the other hand, players with consistently low plus minus ratings may be difficult to trade, as their negative impact on your team’s plus minus could be a turnoff for potential trade partners.

How to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Plus Minus

Balance your roster: When drafting players for your fantasy hockey team, consider players with a positive plus minus rating, but also consider players who can contribute to other categories. A balanced roster can help minimize the impact of negative plus minus ratings from a few players.

Pay attention to team schedules: Look at upcoming schedules and try to avoid starting players whose teams have a difficult schedule or are facing tough opponents. This can help reduce the chances of a high number of goals scored against your team and lower your overall plus minus rating.

Consider starting a goaltender: Goaltenders can have a significant impact on your plus minus rating. Consider starting a goaltender with a good save percentage and a team that has a solid defense. This can help reduce the number of goals scored against your team and ultimately improve your plus minus rating.

By following these strategies, you can minimize the negative impact of plus minus on your fantasy hockey team and maximize your chances of success throughout the season.

Strategies for Drafting Players Based on Plus Minus

Consider their team’s overall plus minus: When drafting players, it’s important to not only consider the individual player’s plus minus, but also the plus minus of the team they play for. A player on a team with a high plus minus is more likely to have a positive plus minus than a player on a team with a negative plus minus.

Look at the player’s role: The role a player has on their team can also impact their plus minus. For example, players who play on the penalty kill may have a better plus minus than players who play on the power play.

Consider the player’s position: In general, defensemen tend to have a higher plus minus than forwards. This is because defensemen are typically on the ice for fewer goals against.

Do your research: Before your draft, do your research and look at a player’s plus minus from previous seasons. This can give you a good idea of what to expect from them in the upcoming season and help inform your draft strategy.

By using these strategies, you can make informed decisions when drafting players and increase your chances of having a strong plus minus for your fantasy hockey team.

Identifying High Plus Minus Players in Fantasy Hockey

When it comes to drafting players in fantasy hockey, it’s important to identify those who can provide a high plus minus rating. Here are some tips to help you identify these players:

Look at a player’s team – Players on teams that have strong defensive records and are consistently winning games are more likely to have high plus minus ratings.

Consider a player’s position – In general, defensemen are more likely to have high plus minus ratings than forwards, as they are more involved in their team’s defensive play.

Check a player’s historical plus minus stats – Look at a player’s plus minus ratings from previous seasons to get an idea of their consistency in this category.

Keep an eye on players with a high TOI/GP – Players with a high time on ice per game are more likely to be involved in both offensive and defensive play, which can lead to higher plus minus ratings.

By focusing on players who excel in the plus minus category, you can give your fantasy hockey team an edge over the competition.

When to Draft Players with Negative Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey

Assess your league’s scoring system: Before drafting players with negative plus minus, make sure to understand how the scoring system works in your league. If your league does not penalize negative plus minus heavily, it may be worth taking a chance on a player with negative plus minus if they excel in other categories.

Look for potential bounce-back candidates: A player with a negative plus minus one year may not necessarily have a negative plus minus the following year. Look for players who had a particularly bad year but have a track record of positive plus minus in the past.

Consider team strength: A player on a weak team may have a higher likelihood of a negative plus minus. However, if the player is a key offensive contributor, their offensive production may outweigh the negative plus minus.

Be mindful of the player’s role: Some players, particularly defensemen, may have a negative plus minus simply because of the situations they are put in by their coach. If a player is consistently matched up against the opposing team’s top players, their plus minus may suffer regardless of their skill level.

How to Balance Plus Minus with Other Fantasy Hockey Categories

Assess Your League Settings: Before the draft, make sure to understand how much each statistical category counts in your league. If plus minus is a relatively small category, it may not be necessary to prioritize it as heavily when selecting players.

Target Players with Multiple Category Contributions: Look for players who can contribute positively to other statistical categories besides plus minus, such as goals, assists, shots on goal, or power play points. This way, even if a player has a negative plus minus, they may still contribute in other areas and help your team.

Consider Your Team Needs: During the draft, consider the strengths and weaknesses of your team and balance out your selections accordingly. If you have already selected several players with negative plus minus, it may be wise to prioritize selecting players with a positive plus minus to balance out your team’s overall performance in the category.

Adjust Your Roster Weekly: Pay attention to your team’s performance in each category throughout the season and make adjustments to your roster accordingly. If you find that your team is consistently underperforming in plus minus, consider making strategic lineup changes or picking up players who can help improve this category.

Tips for Managing Plus Minus Throughout the Fantasy Hockey Season

Monitor Your Team’s Plus Minus Daily: Keeping a close eye on your team’s plus minus each day will help you make informed decisions when it comes to adding or dropping players from your lineup.

Utilize the Waiver Wire: Throughout the season, there will be players available on the waiver wire with high plus minus ratings. Adding these players to your team can help boost your team’s overall plus minus.

Balance Your Lineup: Avoid having too many players from the same team or position in your lineup. This can help mitigate the negative effects of a team-wide slump or injury.

Keep an Eye on Schedule: Consider a player’s schedule when making lineup decisions. Teams with a busy schedule or a lot of travel may be more prone to poor plus minus ratings due to fatigue or unfamiliarity with opponents.

Strategies for Managing Plus Minus in Daily Fantasy Hockey

Daily fantasy hockey presents a unique challenge for managing plus minus, as you have to consider the impact of each player’s performance on your team’s plus minus on a daily basis. Here are some strategies for managing plus minus in daily fantasy hockey:

Pay attention to line combinations: Players who play on a line with others who have a positive plus minus can often benefit from their linemates’ success. Researching line combinations can help you identify players who may be more likely to contribute positively to your team’s plus minus.

Monitor game matchups: Pay attention to which teams are playing against each other and consider how their styles of play may affect plus minus. For example, a matchup between two high-scoring teams may result in a lot of goals scored but also a lot of goals against.

Look for players with a high floor: In daily fantasy hockey, it’s important to consider a player’s consistency as well as their potential upside. Look for players who have a history of contributing positively to plus minus and who have a high floor of points and shots on goal.

Utilize advanced statistics: Advanced statistics such as Corsi and Fenwick can help you identify players who contribute positively to team possession and shot attempts, which can translate to better plus minus. Incorporating these statistics into your research can help you make more informed decisions when selecting players for your daily fantasy hockey lineup.

How to Analyze Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey

Understand the stat: Plus minus is a statistic that measures a player’s on-ice impact on goals scored for and against their team while they are on the ice.

Look at team trends: Analyzing plus minus for individual players is important, but it’s also essential to look at team trends to get a sense of how players are performing in different situations.

Consider individual player usage: It’s important to consider how a player is being used by their team when analyzing their plus minus. For example, a player who is being used primarily in defensive situations may have a lower plus minus than a player who is being used in offensive situations.

Use advanced metrics: Advanced metrics like Corsi and Fenwick can give you a deeper understanding of a player’s impact on the game beyond just their plus minus. These metrics take into account shot attempts, which can give you a better idea of a player’s offensive and defensive impact.

Advanced Plus Minus Analysis in Fantasy Hockey

If you want to take your plus minus analysis to the next level, consider the following advanced techniques:

• Relative plus minus: This statistic measures a player’s plus minus rating compared to his teammates while on the ice. It can help identify players who may have a higher plus minus rating simply because they are on a strong team.
• Z-Score: This is a statistical measure that compares a player’s plus minus rating to the league average and standard deviation. It can help identify players who have an exceptional or poor plus minus rating compared to the rest of the league.
• Adjusted plus minus: This statistic attempts to remove the influence of a player’s teammates and opponents on their plus minus rating, providing a more accurate reflection of their individual contribution to the team’s success.

Keep in mind that these advanced techniques may require access to more in-depth statistical analysis tools and may not be widely available in all fantasy hockey platforms. However, they can be useful for gaining a deeper understanding of a player’s plus minus performance and making more informed drafting and roster decisions.

Maximizing Points with Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey

Drafting Strategies: When drafting players, aim for those with high plus-minus ratings, especially if your league counts it as a separate category. However, don’t overlook players with negative plus-minus ratings if they offer a significant boost in other categories like goals or assists.

In-Season Management: Keep an eye on players’ plus-minus ratings throughout the season and be prepared to make roster changes accordingly. For example, if a player’s plus-minus rating begins to drop, consider benching them or even dropping them from your team.

Lineup Strategy: When setting your lineup, consider the matchups for each player. Players on teams that are expected to win are more likely to have a positive plus-minus rating, so consider starting those players on nights when their team has a favorable matchup.

Analyze Opponent’s Team: When preparing for a matchup, analyze your opponent’s team to identify players with poor plus-minus ratings. You may want to target those players with your lineup decisions to maximize your chances of winning the plus-minus category.

Strategies for Maximizing Points with Plus Minus in Fantasy Hockey

Draft players with a proven track record of high plus minus ratings. Look for players who consistently play on strong teams and have a history of finishing with a positive plus minus.

Pay attention to team matchups and schedule. Consider benching players with a high likelihood of ending up with a negative plus minus in tough matchups against strong offensive teams.

Monitor player usage and ice time. Players who receive more ice time are often more likely to contribute to positive plus minus ratings, so look for players who consistently receive top-line minutes and special teams usage.

Frequently Asked Questions