So, you’re diving into an Edmonton Oilers game thread or reading a deep stat analysis, and you see terms like “Corsi For%” or “xG” thrown around when discussing Connor McDavid. It can feel like a different language. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This glossary is here to decode the advanced stats and possession metrics that analysts use to measure the game beyond just goals and assists. Understanding these terms will give you a whole new appreciation for what makes players like McDavid so dominant.
Corsi (CF)
Corsi is a puck possession metric that counts all shot attempts (shots on goal, missed shots, and blocked shots) for and against a team when a player is on the ice. It’s named after former goaltender and analyst Jim Corsi. A high Corsi For percentage typically indicates a player or team is controlling the flow of play and generating more offensive chances than they allow.
Fenwick (FF)
Fenwick is very similar to Corsi but excludes blocked shots, counting only shots on goal and missed shots. The idea is that blocked shots are a defensive skill, so Fenwick (named after analyst Matt Fenwick) can be a “purer” measure of shot attempt differential. Like Corsi, a high Fenwick For percentage suggests strong territorial control.
Corsi For Percentage (CF%)
This is the percentage of all shot attempts (Corsi) that a team takes while a specific player is on the ice. If Connor McDavid has a CF% of 58%, it means Edmonton Oilers take 58% of the shot attempts during his shifts. A percentage above 50% indicates positive possession.
Fenwick For Percentage (FF%)
This is the percentage of unblocked shot attempts (Fenwick) a team takes with a player on the ice. It’s another key possession indicator. In the high-flying Western Conference, stars like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl often post elite FF% numbers, showing they drive play effectively.
Expected Goals (xG)
Expected Goals is a metric that assigns a probability to every shot based on historical data of similar shots (location, shot type, rebound, etc.). It estimates how many goals a player or team should have scored given the quality of their chances. It helps separate sustainable skill from shooting luck.
Goals For Percentage (GF%)
Simply put, this is the percentage of total goals scored while a player is on the ice. If 10 goals are scored during a player’s shifts, and 7 are for his team, his GF% is 70%. It’s a straightforward measure of on-ice results, crucial during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
PDO
PDO is the sum of a team’s shooting percentage and save percentage when a specific player is on the ice at even strength. The league average is almost always 100.0. A very high PDO (e.g., 103) often suggests unsustainable luck, while a very low one suggests poor luck, with both typically regressing toward the mean over time.
Zone Starts (Offensive Zone Start Percentage - OZS%)
This shows the percentage of a player’s non-neutral zone faceoffs that begin in the offensive zone. A player with a high OZS% (like 70%) is being deployed strategically to create offense, often on a Power Play. A defensive specialist might have a low OZS%, starting shifts in their own end.
High-Danger Chances (HDCF)
These are shot attempts taken from the most dangerous areas on the ice, typically the slot and the crease. Generating and limiting these chances is a key indicator of performance. Players who consistently create high-danger chances are immense offensive threats.
On-Ice Shooting Percentage (On-Ice SH%)
This is the percentage of shots on goal taken by a player’s team that result in a goal while that player is on the ice at even strength. An unusually high percentage might indicate the player is benefiting from hot shooting by teammates, which may not last.
On-Ice Save Percentage (On-Ice SV%)
This is the save percentage of a team’s goaltender while a specific player is on the ice at even strength. A very low on-ice SV% can make a player’s underlying stats look worse, even if they are playing well, indicating possible poor goaltending luck during their shifts.
Relative Metrics (e.g., CF% Rel)
Relative stats measure a player’s impact by comparing their team’s performance with them on the ice versus when they are off the ice. A CF% Rel of +5.0 means the team’s Corsi is 5 percentage points better with that player playing. This isolates an individual’s effect on the team.
Point Share (PS)
A stat that estimates the number of standings points a player contributes to his team. It’s a cumulative stat that factors in both offensive and defensive contributions. Hart Memorial Trophy candidates like McDavid consistently lead the NHL in this category.
Game Score
A single-game performance metric created by analyst Dom Luszczyszyn. It aggregates various box score stats (goals, assists, shots, blocks, etc.) into one number to give a snapshot of a player’s overall impact in a specific game.
Goals Above Replacement (GAR) / Wins Above Replacement (WAR)
These are all-in-one value stats that estimate how many more goals or wins a player provides compared to a replacement-level (e.g., minor league call-up) player. They incorporate offensive, defensive, and penalty differential impacts into one tidy number.
Individual Point Percentage (IPP)
This measures the percentage of goals scored by a player’s team while they are on the ice at even strength that the player gets a point on. A very high IPP (like over 80% for a forward) suggests the player is heavily involved in the scoring plays they are on the ice for.
Scoring Chances For (SCF)
The count of scoring chances a team generates with a player on the ice. A scoring chance is typically defined as a shot attempt from a high-danger area. It’s a more selective and telling measure than raw shot attempts.
Expected Goals For Percentage (xGF%)
Similar to CF% and FF%, but uses the quality of chances (Expected Goals) instead of the raw quantity. An xGF% above 50% means a team is expected to out-score its opponents based on chance quality when that player is on the ice. It’s one of the best predictors of future success.
Penalty Differential
The difference between penalties drawn and penalties taken by a player. A positive differential means the player draws more penalties than they take, giving their team more Power Play opportunities—a huge asset for offensive stars.
Time On Ice (TOI)
The total amount of time a player spends on the ice during a game. It’s often broken down into Even Strength (EV), Power Play (PP), and Shorthanded (SH) time. Elite players like McDavid often lead their team in total TOI, especially in crucial games at Rogers Place.
Shifts
The number of times a player goes on and off the ice during a game. Average shift length (TOI divided by shifts) is also important; shorter shifts (45-50 seconds) are generally ideal for maintaining high intensity and speed.
Faceoff Win Percentage (FO%)
The percentage of faceoffs a player wins. While primarily for centers, it’s a critical possession metric, as starting with the puck is always advantageous. Winning a key defensive zone draw can be as important as a goal in the postseason.
Hits
The number of body checks a player is credited with delivering. While it measures physical engagement, it’s not always a positive indicator, as it often means the player doesn’t have possession of the puck.
Blocked Shots (BLK)
The number of opponent shot attempts a player prevents by getting in the shooting lane. It’s a key defensive stat, especially for defensemen and penalty killers. A player like Connor Brown might show up prominently here.
Takeaways / Giveaways (TK/GV)
Takeaways are instances where a player directly causes a turnover from the opponent. Giveaways are losses of possession. A positive differential here indicates strong puck management and defensive awareness, a hallmark of two-way stars.
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