Explaining Goaltender Stats: Save Percentage and Goals Against Average

For fans of the Montreal Canadiens, a franchise built on a legacy of excellence, understanding the metrics that quantify performance is key to a deeper appreciation of the game. Goaltending has been a cornerstone of the Habs' record 24 championships, and two statistics stand as the fundamental pillars for evaluating a netminder's effectiveness: save percentage and goals against average. This glossary deciphers the terminology and calculations behind these critical stats, providing the context needed to analyze the greats who have guarded the crease for the National Hockey League's most storied club.

Save Percentage (SV%)

Save percentage is a statistic that measures the proportion of shots on goal a goaltender successfully stops. It is calculated by dividing the number of saves by the total number of shots on goal faced. A higher save percentage indicates a more efficient and effective goaltender. In the modern NHL, a save percentage above .915 is generally considered excellent, a benchmark met by Canadiens greats like Carey Price during his Hart Trophy season.

Goals Against Average (GAA)

Goals Against Average represents the average number of goals a goaltender allows per sixty minutes of game time. It is calculated by taking the total goals allowed, multiplying by 60, and then dividing by the total minutes played. Unlike save percentage, GAA is heavily influenced by the team's defensive play in front of the goalie. A lower GAA is always preferable, with figures below 2.50 typically indicating elite-level performance in any era.

Shots on Goal (SOG)

A shot on goal is any directed attempt by an attacking player that, if not stopped, would enter the net. Only shots that force the goaltender to make a save or that result in a goal count towards this total. This is the foundational data point for calculating save percentage, and tracking it game-to-game is essential for analyzing a goalie's workload and consistency.

Save

A save is credited to a goaltender each time they prevent a shot on goal from entering the net. This can be accomplished with any part of the body or equipment. The sheer volume of saves made by Canadiens legends like George Hainsworth and Ken Dryden in critical moments is woven directly into the fabric of the club's Stanley Cup history.

Goal Against (GA)

A goal against is charged to the goaltender who is on the ice when the opposing team scores. This statistic is the primary component for calculating Goals Against Average. While a goal against is never the desired outcome, analyzing when and how they occur is crucial for evaluating a goalie's composure and rebound control.

Minutes Played

This is the total amount of time, in minutes, that a goaltender is officially on the ice during a game. It is used as the denominator in the GAA calculation. For workhorse goaltenders like Jacques Plante, who revolutionized the position while playing nearly every game, this number was a testament to their durability and indispensability to the team.

Even-Strength Save Percentage (EV SV%)

This metric isolates a goaltender's save percentage during 5-on-5 play, removing the special teams' influence. It is often considered a "truer" measure of a goalie's core ability, as it reflects performance during the most common game state. Consistency at even strength was a hallmark of the late-70s dynasty teams, whose defensive structure supported their netminders perfectly.

Power Play Save Percentage (PP SV%)

This measures a goaltender's effectiveness when their team is short-handed. Facing a high-danger offensive setup, a strong power play save percentage can be a game-changing trait. The ability to make key saves while shorthanded has bailed out many Canadiens teams and sparked countless counter-attacks throughout the decades.

Short-Handed Save Percentage (SH SV%)

A less common but relevant stat, this measures save percentage when a goalie's team is on the power play. While they face fewer shots in this situation, any goal allowed can be particularly damaging to momentum. Alertness in these rare moments separates good goalies from great ones.

Quality Start

A quality start is a game in which a goaltender achieves a save percentage above the league average or allows two or fewer goals while posting a save percentage above .885. It’s a measure of consistency, indicating a performance that gave the team a strong chance to win. A high quality start percentage was characteristic of Patrick Roy's playoff runs with the Habs.

Really Bad Start

The opposite of a quality start, this is a game where a goaltender posts a save percentage below .850. These starts significantly decrease a team's chance of winning. Minimizing these outings is critical for any starting netminder hoping to lead their team to a championship.

Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA)

This advanced statistic estimates the number of goals a goaltender has prevented compared to a league-average goalie facing the same number of shots. A positive GSAA indicates performance above average. This metric helps contextualize the value of goaltenders who played in different eras or behind different defensive teams.

High-Danger Save Percentage (HD SV%)

This stat measures a goaltender's save percentage on shots taken from the most dangerous areas on the ice, typically the slot and the crease. Excelling in this category is a sign of an elite, reactionary goaltender. The ability to make "grade-A" saves has defined many of the Canadiens' playoff heroes.

Low-Danger Save Percentage (LD SV%)

This measures save percentage on shots from lower-percentage areas, such as the perimeter. While these saves are expected, a high LD SV% indicates a goalie who is focused, technically sound, and not giving up soft goals—a fundamental expectation for any NHL netminder.

Fenwick Save Percentage

Similar to save percentage, but calculated using unblocked shot attempts (shots on goal plus missed shots). It is used in analytical models to predict future performance, as it considers a larger sample of a goalie's faced workload. This metric is part of the modern analytical toolkit for evaluating goaltending talent.

Corsi Save Percentage

This metric uses all shot attempts directed at the net (shots on goal, missed shots, and blocked shots) as its denominator. It is another predictive measure used in advanced analytics to assess a goalie's performance independent of their team's shot-blocking prowess.

Shutout (SO)

A shutout is awarded to a goaltender who completes an entire game without allowing a goal. It is the ultimate individual accomplishment for a netminder and a clear contributor to a win. The Canadiens' history is filled with shutout records, from George Hainsworth's 22 in a single season to Carey Price's franchise-leading modern marks.

Empty Net Goal Against (EN GA)

A goal scored against a team that has pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker. This goal is charged to the team but does not count against the individual goaltender's statistics for save percentage or GAA, as they were not on the ice.

Adjusted Save Percentage

A statistical adjustment that attempts to normalize save percentage across different NHL eras, accounting for changes in league-wide scoring rates. This allows for a more equitable comparison between goaltenders from the high-flying 1980s and the dead-puck era of the late 1990s.

Backup Goaltender

The secondary goaltender on a team's roster, who typically starts a smaller portion of games. A reliable backup is essential for a team's success over a long season, providing rest for the starter and capable spot duty. Strong backup play has been a subtle strength for many Canadiens teams throughout their history.

Starting Goaltender

The primary goaltender who is entrusted with the majority of a team's starts. This player is central to a team's identity and playoff aspirations. From Bill Durnan and Ken Dryden to Patrick Roy and Carey Price, the Habs' starting goaltender has often been the team's most important player.

Crease

The painted blue area in front of the goal. This is the goaltender's domain, and their ability to control this space—through positioning, rebound management, and assertiveness—is fundamental to their success. Mastery of the crease is a non-negotiable trait for any goaltender wearing the CH logo.

Goalie Win (W)

A statistic credited to the goaltender who is on the ice when their team takes a permanent lead in a game they ultimately win. While a team stat, it has historically been a major factor in individual awards like the Vezina Trophy, which has been won by Canadiens goalies a record number of times.

Loss (L)

Credited to the goaltender who is on the ice when the opposing team takes a permanent lead in a game they ultimately lose. Like wins, it is a team-dependent statistic but remains a basic marker on a goaltender's record.

No Decision

Occurs when a goaltender is pulled from a game (either for performance or injury) and does not receive a win or a loss because the game's permanent lead changed after their departure. Their individual statistics (GA, SOG, Saves) are still counted from their time in the game.

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In summary, while save percentage and goals against average provide the foundational language for goaltender evaluation, the full lexicon reveals the nuance and complexity of the position. For the Montreal Canadiens, a franchise whose legacy is intertwined with legendary netminders, these stats are not just numbers—they are quantifiable echoes of iconic saves at the Montreal Forum, heroic stands in the Bell Centre, and the quiet consistency required to win 24 Stanley Cup championships. Understanding them enriches our appreciation for the art and science of goaltending, from the pioneering style of Jacques Plante to the technical brilliance of Carey Price.