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Save percentage (SV%) and goals-against average (GAA) are useful because they summarize two different parts of a goalie’s performance: how many shots on goal the goalie stops, and how many goals the goalie allows per 60 minutes. Read together, they offer a quick starting point for comparison—but neither accounts for how difficult the shots were or how well the team defended.
What does each stat measure?
The stats use different denominators, so they answer different questions. The NHL glossary defines them as follows:
| Stat | Formula | Question it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Save percentage (SV%) | Saves ÷ shots faced | What share of shots on goal did the goalie stop? |
| Goals-against average (GAA) | Goals allowed × 60 ÷ minutes played | How many goals did the goalie allow per 60 minutes? |
Save percentage: saves per shot on goal
SV% is the proportion of shots on goal that the goalie stops. Under the NHL glossary’s definition, a shot on goal is a puck directed toward the net that goes in or would have gone in without the goalie’s stop. Shots that miss the net, and posts that are not stopped by the goalie, do not count in the denominator.
Goals-against average: goals per 60 minutes
GAA scales the goals a goalie allows to a 60-minute playing-time rate. It is not the total number of goals conceded. Because the calculation uses minutes played, it can be compared across playing time, though it still reflects both the goalie’s results and the team’s defensive performance.
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Why use both stats?
SV% gives a shot-by-shot view of stopping outcomes; GAA gives a playing-time view of scoring outcomes. A high SV% means the goalie stopped a large share of shots on goal. A low GAA means the goalie allowed goals at a lower rate per 60 minutes. Together, they give a compact overview that neither figure supplies alone.
They are summaries, not complete explanations. SV% treats shots on goal as the denominator without distinguishing a routine shot from a dangerous one. GAA counts goals allowed relative to time, but opponents’ chances and the defense in front of the goalie also shape that rate. The Seattle Kraken’s analysis of goaltending statistics discusses these limitations, including the difference between a shot from the blue line and a shot tipped in front of the net.
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How to compare goalies fairly
- Match the competition and time span. Compare goalies over the same league or competition and comparable dates; rates from different contexts may not be directly comparable.
- Check workload and role. Look at games played, starts versus relief appearances, minutes, and shots faced. A rate from a short stretch is less representative than one supported by a larger workload.
- Consider the shots faced. When available, examine shot type, distance, angle, rush origin, and pre-shot passing. Those details help explain why two goalies with similar shot counts may have faced different levels of difficulty. NHL coverage of goalie evaluation notes that such context matters even when advanced models are used.
- Use advanced metrics as additional context. Goals saved above average compares observed saves with a league-average expectation for the shots faced. Expected save percentage approaches estimate save percentage while accounting for shot characteristics. Providers may use different inputs and assumptions, so check how a metric is defined before comparing values from different sources.
Even richer models cannot fully capture a goalie’s read of a play or whether defenders performed their responsibilities. Treat advanced stats as another lens, not a final verdict.
Is there a universal good SV% or GAA?
There is no timeless cutoff that defines a good SV% or GAA. League averages and scoring environments can change from season to season, so a figure is more meaningful when compared with the same competition and period rather than an assumed universal benchmark.
Quick Recap
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- 54" GOALIE SHOOTING TARGET:Upgraded 7-hole layout, highly replicating the scoring area in a match. Practice shooting by hitting the corners and beating the goalkeeper to effectively improve shooting accuracy and technique.
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