GOALIES ARE IN A BLENDER

GOALIES ARE IN A BLENDER

Player and puck tracking data shows that the distance a goalie travels in the final seconds before a shot is a key indicator of shot quality - the more they have to move laterally to reset their angle and depth, the harder the save becomes.

We reviewed every one of Mitch Marner’s 19 playoff points this postseason. On 84.2% of them, the puck moved across both goal posts within 5 seconds of the goal.

This type of rapid east-west puck movement is exactly what analytics has long identified as one of the most dangerous plays in hockey. Puck movement across the Royal Road (the imaginary line that splits middle of the ice in the offensive zone) consistently produces shooting percentages well above average - often in the 15-30% range depending on the study and whether it’s a one-timer - compared to roughly 8-9% on typical shots. These plays have been shown to account for roughly 22% of all goals in tracked data.

The reason is simple: when the puck crosses the crease area quickly, goalies are forced into lateral movement at the exact moment they need to be set.

Marner is creating these situations at a high rate. That lines up with him leading the NHL in playoff points while also generating elite high danger looks.
The film and the data tell the same story.

What’s one Marner sequence this postseason that stood out to you? 👇
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Видео GOALIES ARE IN A BLENDER канала The Sports IQ Lab Inc