BLOG #13 - Shots, The Statistic That MATTERS PT2

Following up on the last blog, I wanted to show a clear example of the concept of shot volume at work. As I discussed, you want to work to the 3-4 shots per game shot average. This will give you amply opportunities and provide positive momentum in your game. I’ll give two player examples to distinguish between high shot volume and selective shots.

*Thanks to INSTAT for the analytics and make sure to check them out for the latest in NHL statistics*

Player A has 4 goals and a total of 18 shots in his past 10 games. This is an average of 1.8 shots per game well below the total I mentioned needed to sustain consistent offense.

Player B has 4 goals too but has 53 shots in his last 10 games. This is 5.3 shots per game and well ABOVE the 3.14 average I illustrated in the last blog.

So, with 4 goals each which player do you think will score next? Which one will be able to score more consistently over a full season?

             It’s no question it is player B. Player B is Austin Matthews who is now among one of the top goal scorers in the league again. What makes him so deadly isn’t just his skillset and IQ but also his willingness to shoot the puck. Notice how a majority are from inside the dots.

WHY IS THIS SO EFFECTIVE? 

Probability over possibility. It’s possible that player A will score as much as Matthews at his current rate. However, it’s more probable that he won’t. It’s possible Matthews wouldn’t score at a high rate. However, it’s more probable that he will.

There are no guarantees that you will score goals, but you can increase your probability of scoring. Rather than saying “this skill” will guarantee a goal I say, “doing this will INCREASE your probability of scoring”. Do it consistently and your chances drastically increase of scoring.

Actionable In-Sights

1-    Find where you get most your shots from and continue to develop these skills

2-    Find areas that your struggle to create and work on developing this area

3-    Get in a shooters mindset and work to get 2 shots a period

Shot volume is a concept you can use to increase your chances of scoring, produce more consistent offense and make you a bigger threat every time you’re in the Ozone.

Thanks for reading!!