The game of hockey is one that demands fast skating, hard shooting, decisive passing and great goaltending. However, it's not just about using your physical ability to get the best of your opponent. Instead, a good coach can look at key statistics to help determine if his team is on track or improvements need to be made.
Shooting Percentage
Hockey teams use shots on goal as a key statistic. It is announced at the end of every period. However, shots on goal for a shooter does not tell as important a story as shooting percentage. A player should be able to score on about 10 percent of his shots on goal. Good offensive players reach another level when they score on 15 percent of their shots. The best players will occasionally reach the 20 percent to 25 percent mark on their shooting percentage.
Power Play/Penalty Kill
Special teams performance is a key factor in winning and losing hockey games. When you have a man advantage because your opponent has a player in the penalty box, you should control the play and put together a consistent attack. If your team can be successful on 22 percent to 25 percent of its power play opportunities, it is considered very successful on the power play. When killing penalties, the goal is to limit your opponent to a 15 percent success ratio. If you can have a 20 percent success ratio on power plays and limit your opponent to 15 percent on its power play, you have a great chance to win consistently.
Goaltending
The standard statistical ratio for most goaltenders is the 90 percent mark. If you are going to lead your team into the playoffs, you should be able to stop at least 90 percent of the shots you face over the course of the average game. The best goaltenders will stop 92 percent to 94 percent of the shots they see over the course of a season. If you are saving less than 90 percent of the shots you see, your coach will almost certainly look to give you some relief and bring in another goaltender to ease your burden.
Faceoff Percentage
Since the 1990s, hockey coaches and general managers have been paying greater attention to faceoff percentage as a vital stat. When your center wins the faceoff, you have a greater chance of controlling play and making an offensive play. When your opponent has the puck, he has a better chance of making a play. The idea is to win more faceoffs than you lose. If your team can win 55 percent of its faceoffs you have a better chance of winning.
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