Understand the numbers behind the game

Better hockey debates start with knowing what a number can tell you, and what it cannot. These guides connect the stats to the questions fans actually ask.

• HVI, Rating and projected HVI: three different questions

  Understand earned hockey value, the player-card Rating and expected season totals without confusing results with predictions.

• Is a great possession number real, or just a small sample?

  Read Corsi, shot pressure and sample-adjusted skill scores together before ranking NHL players.

• Expected goals are not a predicted final score

  Understand shot quality, matchup probabilities and why the favorite can still lose a hockey game.