In the NHL, what is the difference between a shot on goal and a scoring chance?

Question

In the official game stats, scoring chances and shots on goal vary widely. Why is that?

Answer 1

A shot on goal is exactly that. If the puck is headed for the net and is saved by the goalie, or it is a goal, it counts as a shot on goal. Pucks that hit the posts do not count.

A scoring chance is a little subjective, but is any time the offense has an opportunity to score. There could be a scoring chance without a shot on goal, for example if a player misses an empty net.

Also, a shot on goal may not be considered a scoring chance, for example if a puck in cleared the length of the ice and just happens to be at the goal. It is technically "on goal", but not considered a scoring chance.

Answer 2

Shots on goal is an official NHL statistic. It is specifically defined, and tracked. But media found that it might not be the whole picture on what went on in a game, and started scoring chance, which can be somewhat subjective. Scoring chances gives you a different look at what team is doing better. A team could be taking a lot of shots on net, but just shooting, and most of them easy saves.

Shots on goal - If a shot hits the post it is not a shot on goal. So you might count this as a scoring chance. If a shot is wide, but the goalie "saves" it, it is a shot on goal. But probably not a scoring chance.

Other things on scoring chances. You have a 2 on 1, it's a scoring chance, but it is possible that a shot on net doesn't happen. You have a breakaway, and it's a scoring chance, but also possible no shot taken. Say a check from behind and a penalty called. Or shot wide.

Answer 3

The scoring chance stat was instituted to provide a more accurate portrayal of a game. A scoring chance could be inclusive of a shot, but is not solely defined as such. This stat considers the region of the ice, and the quality of the opportunity generated.

For instance, a wrist shot from the blue line or center ice might get on net, get stopped by the keeper and get recording as a shot. Could that truly be viewed as a high percentage opportunity, however? How would it be weighed vs a shot from the slot, whether or not that shot was on net?

Under previous standards, a breakaway shot that went wide or struck the post would never have been recorded as a statistic in a game, nevermind a significant one. As such, it was felt that a significant dimension of the statistical package was being lost because the shot on goal numbers didn't tell the whole story of a game. That is how the scoring chance numbers came about.

Answer 4

A shot on goal is just that. A shot on the net that either a) the goaltender gets a piece of or b) a shot that goes into the net. Most routine shots are not counted as scoring chances.

As far as scoring chances, Its largely a judgement call by the broadcast team, theres no set way to determine a "scoring chance". The general criteria (other than a goal scored) is one where either a) a goal wouldve been scored but was stopped by someone/thing other than the goaltender (ie, defenseman knocks it away, hit the post) or b) a situation where the goaltender has to make a more difficult than average save.

Again though, its all a judgement call, and it will never be the same from person to person..

Answer 5

Shots on goal are simply either saves/stops the goalie needed to make to prevent a goal or a goal. A shot is considered a shot on goal even if it is a long way away from a poor angle. A shot on goal is not recorded if the puck hits the post or crossbar, since technically it wasn't saved.

Quality scoring chances are those shots taken in the good percentage areas. Between the circles or in the high slot. Even if the player misses the net, it is considered a scoring chance. Scoring chances can vary greatly from one scorer to the next.

Answer 6

Shot on goal
A shot on goal is a shot that will enter the goal if it is not stopped by the goaltender. A shot on goal must result in either a goal or a save.

Scoring chance
For example, let's say a defenseman blasts a shot on goal from the blue line that the goaltender makes the play on. In the boxscore, that counts as a shot on goal. However, since there was no real pressure, that would not count as a scoring chance. Generally speaking, a scoring chance is a shot on goal that was viewed as a real threat. That's why the difference in the number of shots on goal and the number of scoring chances.

Does that clear it up for you?

Answer 7

A Shot On Goal is when the puck leaves someones sticks and head into the net!!

A scoring Chance is when there is a shot and a scoring oppurtunity at the same time

For Ex:

Gomez Shoots it, and its stopped ( Shot on Goal )!! Then Gionta takes the Rebound and fires one, then thats a scoring chance!!