According to an Associated Press report, entering the NHL's final few regular-season games, goaltender save-percentage is below .900 for the first time since 1994, all while shots on goal are down, to 27.8 per game, the lowest since 1998, and goals per game remain over six for the third consecutive season.
More goals on fewer shots sounds counterintuitive, but one explanation referenced is all-around better size, speed and skill, with more unselfish play resulting in more passing to set up higher-percentage scoring chances, fewer attacks straight down the slot, and more lateral play near the goal.
The report cited gambling as another probable influence, with official scorers and the league being stingy on shots, ensuring they are actually on goal as opposed to what a goalie might stop and catch — and used to get credit for — that might be going wide or over the bar, making sure shots-on-goal are accurate for those gambling the over-under.
My take: One need only look at tonight's Penguins–Blues game — 12 goals on 53 shots. That's .774.
THE ASYLUM
Save percentage tanks
According to an Associated Press report, entering the NHL's final few regular-season games, goaltender save-percentage is below .900 for the first time since 1994, all while shots on goal are down, to 27.8 per game, the lowest since 1998, and goals per game remain over six for the third consecutive season.
More goals on fewer shots sounds counterintuitive, but one explanation referenced is all-around better size, speed and skill, with more unselfish play resulting in more passing to set up higher-percentage scoring chances, fewer attacks straight down the slot, and more lateral play near the goal.
The report cited gambling as another probable influence, with official scorers and the league being stingy on shots, ensuring they are actually on goal as opposed to what a goalie might stop and catch — and used to get credit for — that might be going wide or over the bar, making sure shots-on-goal are accurate for those gambling the over-under.
My take: One need only look at tonight's Penguins–Blues game — 12 goals on 53 shots. That's .774.
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