Metrics give teams and analysts a clearer picture of performance, allowing bettors to make better decisions
Evaluating NHL teams requires more than just looking at wins and losses. Advanced metrics provide deeper insights into performance, helping analysts, coaches, and fans understand a team’s strengths and weaknesses. While traditional stats like goals and assists remain important, modern hockey analysis relies on more detailed data points to assess overall team efficiency.
Corsi is one of the most widely used metrics in hockey analytics. It measures shot attempts for and against while at even strength, including shots on goal, missed shots, and blocked shots. A high Corsi percentage (CF%) suggests a team is controlling play and generating more offensive opportunities. Teams with strong possession numbers tend to have sustained success over the course of a season.
Expected Goals (xG) is another key metric that evaluates shot quality rather than just shot quantity. It assigns a probability to each shot based on factors like distance, angle, and type of play. A team with a high xG but a low actual goal total may be experiencing bad luck or facing elite goaltending, while a team outperforming its xG might be benefiting from unsustainable shooting success.
PDO combines shooting percentage and save percentage to measure a team’s efficiency. Since the league average is typically around 100, teams significantly above that may be on a hot streak, while those below could be underperforming their potential. Over time, PDO tends to regress toward the mean, making it a useful tool for identifying teams due for a turnaround or a slump.
Zone starts also play a role in evaluating performance. Teams that begin more shifts in the offensive zone have an advantage, while those starting in their own end face tougher defensive challenges. Coaches often deploy players strategically based on these numbers to maximize scoring chances.
The use of these metrics and their analysis produces better data results about games and players. This translates into better information bettors can use when they’re ready to place their bets.
