If you’ve been paying attention to your hockey rankings at all over the past year, you might have noticed a distinct lack of consistency from one week to the next. Some teams are constantly in the hunt for a playoff spot, while others are struggling just to make the cut. The season is unpredictable, but one thing you can count on is that teams will try their best to rack up as many points as possible, and that games will often have an “otl” (over/underline, lower case) score meaning that the total number of goals scored will either be higher or lower than what you’d typically see in an average game (stats via Hockey Reference). In general, under/overs are exciting to watch and keep scorers busy, but they can also be quite frustrating if you’re not equipped to handle the swing either way. Let’s take a quick moment to review the basics of hockey stats and its scoring system before proceeding with this week’s top three stories.
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Hockey Stats 101
At its most basic level, hockey is simply a combat sport where two teams compete against each other with pucks (balls) on a rectangular ice rink. Traditionally, teams would line up along the center red line and across the ice from one of their goalies (more on them in a bit), and take turns shooting at a puck that was dropped down by the opposing team. The attacker with the most goals at the end of the game wins. Sounds simple enough, right?
Well, not exactly. Although the rules of hockey are simple, a game lasts for a minimum of two full periods and is often decided by a shootout, scoring much like a slot car race. It’s a common misconception that the only way to score in hockey is via the power of pucks alone. While some teams rely heavily on generating speed and skill with their skating legs, others prefer to use their stick handling and shots from the point to beat their opponents.
The beauty of hockey is that it’s a sport that can be enjoyed by fans of all ages. The chance to sit on the sofa and vicariously follow the puck around the ice as the players duke it out is something that can appeal to anyone. While some fans prefer watching games from the comfort of their living rooms (with plenty of snacks and drinks to hand), others choose to attend games in person. A hockey arena experience is something that can only be enjoyed by fans who attend the games in person. The atmosphere is something that can’t be replicated at all by watching games on TV or online. Even the slang and culture associated with hockey are a gift that keeps on giving. For example, a goal scored in the last minute of a game would be described as a “Clutch goal” since it arrived at the very end, while the lead before that would be called the “Halftime score.”
The Over/Under
Since every game is now worth two points in the standings (following the 2016-17 NHL season), it stands to reason that some games will end up being more noteworthy than others. If you’re following the NHL closely, you might have already witnessed the dramatic swings in the NHL’s point totals from one week to the next. Some teams soared as the season went on, reaching as many as 91 points before falling back down to Earth a bit near the end. Others struggled all season, only to have one or two good games in the last few weeks that helped them squeak into the postseason. It’s fair to say that no matter what team you support, over/unders can be frustrating to follow. When the totals are rolling in your favor, you’re in for a treat. When they’re not, you have to settle for a bittersweet victory.
The beauty of hockey is that it’s a fast-paced game that rarely, if ever, lets up. Since fans have to keep track of the puck, it’s not uncommon for games to zoom by with little regard for the clock. It’s also a game where anything can happen, resulting in an almost endless array of exciting plays and maneuvers.
The Goalie And His Equipment
Goaltenders are a key part of every team’s success in hockey. They’re responsible for stopping the puck, and stopping it well is a full-time job that requires lots of practice. Like the rest of the players on your favorite team, goalies get paid to play the game they love, and they deserve your respect as the athletes they are. They also need your help keeping track of where the puck is at all times so they can make the proper saves.
The equipment goalies wear is crucial to their performance. They need fast, accurate reflexes, and steady hands to make the saves they do, while also having enough speed to get in the proper position to make those hands work. Since most shots in hockey are going to be at close to full throttle, stopping them all is a daily challenge. Even the best goalies can lose their cool and freeze up after a while, resulting in more goals than usual being scored. In addition to being athletic, dependable, and well-practiced, a good goalie needs to be smart in the net, anticipating the moves of the players they’re facing, while at the same time having the technical ability to make the right save for the situation at hand. Every shot they stop is one less that another team will be able to score, giving them a huge advantage over the course of an entire game. If you’re fortunate enough to witness a game where the score is fairly even, you might be treated to some excellent goalkeeping, resulting in an exciting overtime or even a shootout, which is always fun to watch.
The best part of watching a goalie play is when the opposing team puts a puck in the offensive zone, only for the goalie to drop down and make a routine save, resulting in the puck going around the net and into the other team’s zone for a chance at an odd-man rush. At that point, your eyes are naturally drawn to the goalie, and it’s an easy way to follow the game without having to track any other statistic. If you’re looking for a more passive experience, you can always tune into an AHL game and enjoy some superb goalkeeping without having to worry about much else other than the entertainment.
Final Takeaway
As the end of the season approaches and your team is looking for any edge they can find to make the cut for the post-season, under/overs are a great way to finish the season strong. Just remember: goals scored will either make or break your team’s chances at making the playoffs, so keep track of that and use it as a guide for how you feel the game is going. Since the season is in its final stages, it’s also a good idea to look into the playoffs and how to follow them online. As you’ve probably noticed, the NHL is embracing online tools and channels to allow fans everywhere to keep up with the action, no matter where they are. Several games will be streamed live, and the playoffs will be broadcasted in their entirety, providing you with an experience that you might not get anywhere else. Other than that, make sure you’ve got your eyes on the prize, and remember: the more you know, the more you’ll enjoy the games. Finally, don’t forget that the best way to keep track of your team’s success is by following them on Twitter. With the volume of information distributed online, it’s the best way to make sure you miss nothing important as the season comes to a close.