Unveiling the Mystery: What Does EV Mean in Hockey Stats?

If you’re a fan of hockey or a hockey analyst, you’ve probably come across the term “EV” quite often. But what does it actually mean? This is a question that has puzzled many hockey enthusiasts, and in this article, we will unveil the mystery surrounding EV in hockey stats.

EV, which stands for Even Strength, is an important metric that measures a team’s performance when both teams have an equal number of players on the ice. In this article, we will dive into the importance of EV in analyzing hockey games, how it differs from power play (PP), and the key metrics to look for in EV analysis.

If you’re looking to improve your understanding of hockey stats or simply curious about what EV means, keep reading to uncover the secrets of this essential statistic in hockey analysis.

Understanding EV in Hockey

Before diving into EV in hockey, it’s important to first understand the basics of the game. Hockey is played with two teams of six players each, one of whom is the goaltender. The objective of the game is to shoot the puck into the opposing team’s net to score points.

EV, which stands for even strength, refers to situations in which both teams have an equal number of players on the ice. In other words, there are no players serving penalties, and neither team has pulled their goaltender to add an extra attacker.

Because EV situations are the most common in hockey games, they provide a useful baseline for analyzing player and team performance. By looking at statistics such as goals, assists, and shots on goal during EV play, analysts can get a good sense of how players and teams perform in normal game situations.

Of course, there are many factors that can impact EV play, such as the quality of the opposing team and the home ice advantage. Nevertheless, EV statistics remain a key part of hockey analysis, and understanding them is crucial for anyone looking to delve deeper into the game.

The Definition of Even Strength in Hockey

Even strength, often referred to as EV, is a term used to describe a situation in ice hockey when both teams have an equal number of players on the ice, typically five skaters and one goaltender each. EV situations occur throughout a game, with the exception of when a team is shorthanded due to a penalty, or when they have an extra player on the ice during a power play.

During EV play, players are expected to demonstrate a balance of offensive and defensive skills, as well as utilize strategic play to gain and maintain control of the puck. Goal-scoring opportunities tend to be more difficult to come by during EV play compared to power play situations, making it a crucial aspect of the game to understand and analyze.

When a team scores during EV play, it is referred to as an even strength goal. These goals can be significant in determining the outcome of a game and can provide insight into a team’s overall performance.

Understanding EV in hockey is essential for anyone looking to analyze the sport at a deeper level. By examining a team’s performance during EV situations, analysts can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, and how they compare to their opponents.

The Importance of EV in Analyzing Hockey Games

Accurately Evaluating Player Performance: Even Strength (EV) is crucial in accurately evaluating player performance. Analyzing a player’s performance in EV situations can give us a more comprehensive understanding of their skillset and how they contribute to the team’s success.

Identifying Team Strategies: EV analysis also helps in identifying team strategies. A team that excels in EV situations likely has a well-defined strategy that can be observed and analyzed to gain insights into their success.

Comparing Teams and Players: Using EV analysis, teams and players can be compared more accurately. Comparing teams or players based on overall goals or points may not give a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing EV statistics can provide a better understanding of their performances.

Improving Game Strategy: EV analysis can also help coaches and analysts in developing game strategies. It can be used to identify areas of strength and weakness for the team and opponents, allowing for a better game plan.

Predicting Future Performance: EV statistics can also be used to predict future performance. A player or team performing well in EV situations is likely to continue performing well in the future. Predicting future performance can be helpful in player recruitment, team planning, and predicting game outcomes.

How EV Impacts Hockey Strategies

Understanding EV in hockey stats can have a significant impact on a team’s strategies. A team that excels in EV situations is likely to have more scoring opportunities, resulting in more goals and wins. This knowledge can help coaches and players adjust their game plan and make better decisions on the ice.

Teams can also use EV analysis to identify weaknesses in their opponents’ game and exploit them during the game. By focusing on the areas where their opponents struggle, teams can increase their chances of scoring and winning.

EV analysis can also help teams evaluate player performance. By analyzing a player’s EV stats, coaches can identify their strengths and weaknesses and adjust their playing time and position accordingly.

Additionally, EV analysis can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different line combinations. Teams can use data to identify which lines have the best EV performance and use that information to make informed decisions about which players to use together on the ice.

The Role of EV in Predicting Game Outcomes

One of the key benefits of understanding EV in hockey is its ability to predict game outcomes. Coaches and analysts use EV data to predict which players will be the most effective in certain game situations, such as power plays or penalty kills.

EV statistics can also help predict a team’s success in future games. By analyzing a team’s EV stats, analysts can identify patterns and trends that suggest a team may be struggling or excelling in certain areas of the game. This information can be used to adjust game strategies and improve overall team performance.

EV stats can also be used to evaluate individual player performance and potential. By analyzing a player’s EV stats, coaches and scouts can identify strengths and weaknesses in a player’s game and make informed decisions about which players to add to their team roster.

EV data is also becoming increasingly important in the world of sports betting. Bettors can use EV statistics to make informed bets on games and players, and to identify potential opportunities for profit.

EV vs. PP: What’s the Difference?

While EV stands for even strength in hockey, PP refers to the power play, which is when a team has a man advantage due to an opponent’s penalty. The two situations differ in several key ways, including the number of players on the ice, the types of strategies employed, and the statistical measures used to evaluate performance.

When playing at even strength, teams rely on a balanced attack that emphasizes both offensive and defensive play. In contrast, on the power play, teams focus primarily on generating scoring opportunities by using a more aggressive, high-risk offensive strategy.

Despite these differences, both EV and PP play an essential role in evaluating a team’s performance. By analyzing a team’s performance in each situation, analysts and fans can gain a more comprehensive understanding of a team’s strengths and weaknesses.

One key way to compare a team’s performance in each situation is by comparing their EV and PP scoring rates. By looking at how often a team scores per 60 minutes of play in each situation, analysts can identify which situation the team is more successful in and which situation needs improvement.

Another important metric to consider when comparing EV and PP performance is shot differential. While shot differential is important in both situations, it is particularly crucial in even strength play, where the ability to generate and prevent shots can have a significant impact on a team’s overall success.

Understanding the Differences between Even Strength and Power Play in Hockey

While even strength (EV) refers to the situation where both teams have the same number of players on the ice, power play (PP) occurs when one team has more players due to a penalty being called on the other team.

During even strength play, teams typically focus on maintaining possession of the puck and creating scoring chances while keeping their opponent from doing the same. Strategies during even strength play often involve using effective forechecking and defensive positioning to create turnovers and limit the opponent’s ability to score.

Power play situations offer a significant advantage to the team with the extra player. Teams will typically use this opportunity to move the puck around the offensive zone and create high-quality scoring chances. Strategies during power plays often involve setting up specific formations, such as the umbrella or diamond, to create open shooting lanes and increase the chances of scoring.

Because of these differences, analyzing EV and PP statistics separately can provide a more accurate understanding of a team’s strengths and weaknesses. While a team may excel in one area, such as power play scoring, they may struggle in even strength play, leading to overall inconsistent performance.

Furthermore, different players may perform better or worse in each situation. For example, a player who is skilled at penalty killing may not be as effective during even strength play. By analyzing EV and PP statistics separately, coaches and analysts can make more informed decisions about line combinations and player usage.

How EV and PP Stats Affect Team Strategies

Coaches and teams use EV and PP stats to inform their game strategies. For instance, if a team has a high EV shooting percentage, they may focus on generating more EV scoring chances. Similarly, if a team’s PP success rate is high, they may try to draw more penalties to get more PP opportunities.

Defensively, teams may adjust their tactics based on opponent EV and PP stats. If a team has a high PP success rate, their opponents may focus on avoiding taking penalties. Alternatively, if an opponent has a low EV shooting percentage, teams may focus on keeping them to the perimeter and limiting their high-danger scoring chances.

Additionally, when evaluating player performance, coaches and scouts may place greater emphasis on EV stats for players who play primarily at even strength, and on PP stats for players who play primarily on the power play.

Key Metrics to Look for in EV Analysis

When analyzing even strength (EV) in hockey, it’s important to focus on key metrics that provide insight into a team’s performance. Shot attempts are a common metric used to evaluate a team’s offensive and defensive performance, while expected goals (xG) can provide a more accurate representation of a team’s quality of chances. Shot percentage (S%) and save percentage (SV%) are also important metrics to track when analyzing EV performance.

Additionally, it’s important to consider time on ice (TOI) when analyzing EV performance, as this metric can impact a player’s ability to contribute to their team’s success. Other key metrics to consider include scoring chances, high-danger chances, and possession metrics such as Corsi and Fenwick.

By focusing on these key metrics, analysts can gain a more comprehensive understanding of a team’s EV performance and identify areas for improvement.

It’s also important to note that while these metrics are useful for evaluating EV performance, they may not tell the full story. Contextual factors such as the quality of opponents and game situations should also be considered when analyzing EV performance.

Shots on Goal and Shot Attempts at Even Strength

Shots on goal refer to the number of shots that hit the net and are stopped by the goaltender, while shot attempts include shots on goal, shots that miss the net, and blocked shots. These metrics are important to track because they can indicate a team’s ability to generate quality scoring chances during even strength play.

Tracking shots on goal and shot attempts can also help identify players who are particularly effective at generating scoring chances. These players may have a higher shooting percentage than their teammates, indicating that they are able to generate high-quality scoring chances on a consistent basis.

Another important use of shots on goal and shot attempts at even strength is in evaluating goaltenders. Goalies who face a high number of shots on goal and shot attempts during even strength play may be facing more difficult scoring chances, which can help explain differences in their save percentages compared to other goaltenders.

Corsi and Fenwick Ratings in Even Strength Situations

Corsi and Fenwick Ratings are two metrics that are often used to measure a team’s puck possession during even strength situations in hockey. Corsi measures the total number of shot attempts (shots on goal, missed shots, and blocked shots) while Fenwick measures only the shots on goal and missed shots. These ratings can be used to determine which team is controlling the play and spending more time in the offensive zone.

When analyzing these metrics, it’s important to keep in mind that they are not the only indicators of a team’s performance. A team may have a high Corsi or Fenwick rating but still struggle to convert those opportunities into goals. Additionally, these ratings can be influenced by factors such as score effects, where teams with a lead may be more conservative and take fewer shot attempts.

Despite these limitations, Corsi and Fenwick ratings remain useful tools for evaluating a team’s performance at even strength. They can be used in conjunction with other metrics such as scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances to get a more complete picture of a team’s overall play.

Scoring Chances and High-Danger Scoring Chances at Even Strength

Scoring chances are shots that occur within the scoring area on the ice, also known as the home plate area, and are considered high-percentage opportunities to score. High-danger scoring chances are a subset of scoring chances that occur within a certain distance of the net and in certain areas of the ice where goals are more likely to be scored.

These metrics are important to evaluate because they give a better indication of a team’s ability to generate high-quality scoring chances rather than just relying on the number of shots taken. Teams that consistently generate more scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances at even strength have a better chance of winning games, especially when combined with strong goaltending.

Scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances can also help identify individual players who are strong offensive contributors. For example, a player who consistently generates a high number of scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances is likely to be a key offensive player for their team.

Teams can also use these metrics to adjust their game plan and strategy. If a team is struggling to generate scoring chances, they may need to focus on creating more traffic in front of the net or generating more shots from high-danger areas. On the other hand, if a team is giving up too many high-danger scoring chances, they may need to tighten up defensively and focus on limiting their opponents’ quality chances.

How to Calculate EV in Hockey Stats?

Even Strength (EV) statistics are used to evaluate a team’s performance during regular five-on-five play, excluding power play and penalty kill situations. Calculating EV statistics involves excluding power play and shorthanded situations from the overall team and individual statistics.

One common method of calculating EV statistics is to use the “shift chart” method. This involves tracking the time that each player spends on the ice during even strength play and compiling their individual statistics during that time. By subtracting the player’s statistics during power play and shorthanded situations, you can calculate their EV statistics.

Another method of calculating EV statistics is to use the “game state” method. This involves filtering game situations to only include those that occur during even strength play. For example, you might filter out all situations that occur when a team is on the power play or penalty kill. You can then calculate statistics for these situations to determine a team’s performance during even strength play.

The Basic Formula for Calculating EV in Hockey

Even strength (EV) is a crucial statistic in hockey analytics as it gives a true representation of a team’s performance. The basic formula for calculating EV is to subtract the goals a team allows while it is shorthanded from the goals it scores while at even strength.

This formula provides a more accurate reflection of a team’s performance, as it measures how well they perform in a situation that happens most frequently during games. It also accounts for the impact of special teams, such as power plays and penalty kills, which can skew a team’s overall performance metrics.

While calculating EV is relatively simple, it requires tracking the goals scored and allowed during even strength play. Teams can use this information to adjust their game plans and improve their overall performance in even strength situations.

EV Analysis Tools for Hockey Fans and Analysts

If you’re a hockey fan or analyst looking to take your analysis to the next level, there are several EV analysis tools available to help you. These tools can provide you with advanced metrics and data that can give you a deeper understanding of a team or player’s performance.

Some of the most popular EV analysis tools include:

• Corsica: A comprehensive data resource that offers a range of advanced metrics, including Corsi and Fenwick ratings, scoring chance data, and more. Corsica is a great resource for those looking to dive deep into advanced statistics.
• Natural Stat Trick: Another popular data resource that provides a wide range of advanced metrics for EV situations. Natural Stat Trick also offers a variety of customizable reports and visualizations to help users analyze the data more effectively.
• Hockey Reference: A comprehensive database of player and team statistics that offers a variety of EV-specific metrics, including goals for and against, shot attempts, and more. Hockey Reference is a great resource for those looking for a broad range of data on individual players and teams.

No matter which tool you choose, incorporating EV analysis into your hockey analysis can help you gain a deeper understanding of a team or player’s performance, and can help you identify areas for improvement or potential breakout candidates.

The Best EV Analysis Tools for Novice Hockey Fans

If you are a novice hockey fan, there are a few great EV analysis tools that you can use to get started. Here are some of the best:

• Hockey Viz: This website offers interactive data visualizations that are easy to use and understand. You can explore different team and player stats and filter by different game situations.
• Natural Stat Trick: This website provides a wide range of advanced hockey statistics, including EV stats like Corsi and Fenwick. The site also offers detailed game and player reports.
• Corsica: This website offers a powerful search tool that allows you to filter by different game situations, player types, and more. The site also provides a range of advanced stats and data visualizations.

These tools are all free to use and offer a wealth of information for hockey fans looking to dive into EV analysis. With a little bit of practice and exploration, you can start to gain a better understanding of the game and the strategies used by different teams and players.

Advanced EV Analysis Tools for Professional Hockey Analysts

Professional hockey analysts may need to use more sophisticated tools to perform advanced EV analysis. Some of these tools include:

1. Microstats Analysis Tools: These tools allow analysts to track and analyze more specific events during a game, such as shot types, zone entries, and zone exits.
2. Player Tracking Tools: These tools provide detailed data on player movement and positioning, which can help analysts understand how players affect EV performance.
3. Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics Tools: These tools use algorithms to identify patterns and make predictions about future EV performance based on historical data.
4. Customizable Dashboards: These tools allow analysts to create customized visualizations of EV data to quickly identify trends and insights.

Using these advanced EV analysis tools can give professional hockey analysts a deeper understanding of a team’s EV performance and help them make data-driven decisions to improve their overall strategy.

It’s important to note that these tools may require a higher level of technical expertise and resources than simpler EV analysis tools, so they may not be necessary or practical for all hockey fans or analysts.

Frequently Asked Questions