Question.

[Boycey 0]

I haven't exactly been following NHL for that long and there's a saying i'm unsure of that i wondered if someone could clear up for me. Basically what do they mean when the commentators refer to "(player) is currently +1" or something similar to that. I've also heard them saying +2, +3, +4 etc.

Thanks in advance,

Boycey :)

[Chadd 916]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plus/minus_(hockey)

[technophile 0]

It refers to the player's plus/minus rating.

If a player is on the ice when his team scores a goal five-on-five or short-handed, he receives a +1. If he's on the ice when his team surrenders a goal five-on-five or on the power play, he receives a -1.

[Boycey 0]

Thanks guys. :)

[tburk32 0]

I always knew what it meant, but now with the description on wikipedia, it makes me wonder... Is your plus minus affected if you are scored on while you are shorthanded???"Whenever the team is scored against while at even strength or on a power play when the player is on the ice, his plus/minus is decreased by one." It does not say anything about being on the penalty kill on the decrease just plus if you score shorthanded. If anyone knows I would be interested. Also if it's a dumb question just let me know I can handle the abuse.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Is your plus minus affected if you are scored on while you are shorthanded???"

no

[Hidious 0]

I always knew what it meant, but now with the description on wikipedia, it makes me wonder... Is your plus minus affected if you are scored on while you are shorthanded???"Whenever the team is scored against while at even strength or on a power play when the player is on the ice, his plus/minus is decreased by one." It does not say anything about being on the penalty kill on the decrease just plus if you score shorthanded. If anyone knows I would be interested. Also if it's a dumb question just let me know I can handle the abuse.

Pretty good question i never tought about it. Thanks kovy for the clear answer!

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

How about a empty net(your team are 6vs5) and you get scored on? are the 6 players out there -1.

[Chadd 916]

How about a empty net(your team are 6vs5) and you get scored on? are the 6 players out there -1.

It doesn't matter if you have 5 skaters and a goalie or 6 skaters. It's still considered even strength.

[Jason Harris 31]

Hey, on the topic of Definitions, does anybody know what constitutes a scoring chance?

I'm assuming it most likely is based on distance from the goalie, yet there can be far greater scoring opportunities from the point on occasion.

[Chadd 916]

Hey, on the topic of Definitions, does anybody know what constitutes a scoring chance?

I'm assuming it most likely is based on distance from the goalie, yet there can be far greater scoring opportunities from the point on occasion.

below the top of the circles and between the faceoff dots with a clear shot on goal or an odd man rush.

[jay 1]

It doesn't have to be a shot on goal to be considered a scoring chance does it?

[mack 44]

Nope, doesn't have to register to be considered a chance.

[Chadd 916]

It doesn't have to be a shot on goal to be considered a scoring chance does it?

No, bad choice of words on my part. Having a good look at the net is important, not the shot.

[NuggyBuggy 0]

I have always wondered why, if a player draws a penalty and the other team scores a goal on the ensuing power play, why he is not charged with a minus. He may not be physically on the ice, but there is a sense in which he IS on the ice for the entire penalty, as his behavior led to the shorthanded situation which arguably led to the goal. Doing this would reflect better the play of those players who take a lot of penalties which result in costly goals against (see Bertuzzi, Todd; 2006 Olympic Games).

Also, is a 4 on 4 situation considered even strength ?

[Chadd 916]

I have always wondered why, if a player draws a penalty and the other team scores a goal on the ensuing power play, why he is not charged with a minus. He may not be physically on the ice, but there is a sense in which he IS on the ice for the entire penalty, as his behavior led to the shorthanded situation which arguably led to the goal. Doing this would reflect better the play of those players who take a lot of penalties which result in costly goals against (see Bertuzzi, Todd; 2006 Olympic Games).

Also, is a 4 on 4 situation considered even strength ?

That's why +/- can be misleading.

4 on 4 is even strength.