What is plus/minus in hockey?
A skater earns +1 when on ice for an even-strength or shorthanded goal scored, −1 when on ice for one allowed. Power-play goals don't count. It rewards two-way play but punishes players for teammates — famously flawed, endlessly quoted.
How the calculator works
Per-game and per-82 normalizations so a 50-game season compares to a full year. League leaders typically post +25 to +40.
Common use cases
- Fantasy leagues that count +/- as a category
- Two-way winger debates
- Understanding why a counting stat needs context
Formula & caveats
Team quality dominates. A star on a bad team can post negative numbers while driving play — analytics prefers shot-share (Corsi/xG) for exactly this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good plus/minus?
+20 across a season is excellent; leaders hit +35 or more.
Why don't power-play goals count?
The stat was designed to isolate even-strength play, where both teams are at full strength.
Is +/- still useful?
As a category in fantasy, yes; as a defense measure, use shot-share data instead.
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