Welcome again to a different version of Analytics Benefit. With the primary spherical of the 2025 NHL Playoffs in full swing, I’ve shifted focus this week towards a extra visible breakdown of staff efficiency. Utilizing information from Pure Stat Trick (postseason solely, present by April 29), I’ve constructed 4 Tableau charts that discover totally different areas of staff and participant affect. These charts are interactive , you may hover over staff logos, click on to spotlight particular gamers or groups, and use the filters to isolate matchups or group.
Reasonably than simply drop visuals and name it a day, I am going to stroll by every one with a hockey lens: what it truly means to be “up and to the precise,” or low and left. These axes aren’t simply stat positions, they mirror type of play, staff methods, and the way issues are getting in actual matchups. Let’s get into it.
Goaltending: Save Share vs. Common Shot Distance
This primary chart appears to be like at Save Share (horizontal x-axis) and Common Shot Distance (vertical y-axis) for every playoff goalie. The next SV% signifies higher efficiency, whereas the next shot distance suggests opponents are saved to the skin.
What jumps out instantly is the hole between Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Pickard has been glorious since stepping in, and a key issue could be the space distinction, Pickard is seeing photographs come from roughly 10 ft farther out than Skinner was. That is an enormous distinction within the playoffs. Edmonton’s construction in entrance of Pickard has tightened up, forcing opponents to shoot from much less harmful areas. That is serving to him succeed.
Conversely, Skinner’s numbers mirror a more durable workload, nearer possibilities, extra chaos within the slot, and more durable saves. And if you scan additional proper of Skinner on the chart, you may see different goaltenders coping with comparable points: groups that permit numerous inside possibilities and count on their goalies to bail them out. That is hardly ever a sustainable method.
Additionally price noting is Connor Hellebuyck, who’s sitting in an uncomfortably comparable area to Skinner. A goalie of Hellebuyck’s caliber to be performing this poorly, whereas going through that stage of hazard, is a transparent pink flag for Winnipeg. In the meantime, Adin Hill seems to be dealing with issues just a little higher, sitting barely larger and additional to the precise.
There is a mid-cluster of goalies close to the typical for each metrics, however what that group tells us is usually situational, common save charges and mid-distance possibilities may very well be matchup-dependent or the results of rating results. Both means, this visible units the tone for a way structured or scattered every staff is within the crease.
Goaltending: Targets In opposition to Common vs Save Share
This second chart maps Targets In opposition to Common (GAA) on the x-axis and Save Share (SV%) on the y-axis. It offers us a clearer view of which goalies are each stopping pucks and holding their general objectives allowed low.
The important thing takeaway right here is that Stuart Skinner and Connor Hellebuyck are remoted within the backside proper: Excessive GAA, low SV%. That is the worst attainable space to be in, and the truth that each are there says rather a lot about how their groups have fared thus far. Neither is getting the outcomes wanted, they usually’re not doing sufficient to alter momentum in a sequence. In Hellebuyck’s case, we’re speaking about an anticipated 4-0, 4-1 sequence win, and cozy, not a decent 2-2 sequence.
Darcy Kuemper, then again, stands out a bit. He is been going through a excessive quantity and nonetheless managing to carry out moderately effectively. Whereas not elite on this chart, he is in a zone that displays workload greater than failure. It’s also possible to see goalies from groups which can be already eradicated starting to float towards the decrease clusters. That tells a part of the story behind why these groups are out, or on the way in which out
The center-right cluster contains groups nonetheless within the combine however relying closely on saves to remain aggressive. Groups within the top-left quadrant are the actual standouts, these getting each constant goaltending and robust defensive construction. Frederik Andersen is the very best instance of that. His numbers are glorious, and Carolina has benefited closely from his play. He did get injured, however the newest studies say he is day-to-day and anticipated to be obtainable for the subsequent spherical. If he returns on the identical stage, the Hurricanes are going to be robust to beat. That mentioned, when Pyotr Kochetkov is in internet, the Hurricanes have not regarded fairly as sharp. Andersen’s presence clearly stabilizes the group in entrance of him, and that reveals up on this chart. If he is wholesome, they’re in an amazing spot.
Skater Manufacturing: Targets per 60 vs Assists per 60
The third chart breaks down particular person participant manufacturing by evaluating Targets per 60 (x-axis) and Assists per 60 (y-axis). Shifting proper means a participant is scoring extra objectives, whereas transferring up signifies extra assists. Gamers within the top-right quadrant are producing effectively in each areas, which is the place you need your high forwards to be throughout the playoffs.
Among the many best gamers on this graph are Cam Fowler, Dylan Strome, Adrian Kempe, Pavel Buchnevich, Kirill Kaprizov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Andrei Svechnikov. These are the fellows who’re pushing their groups ahead , contributing each as finishers and facilitators.
Gamers leaning additional proper however sitting decrease on the Y-axis are principally pure aim scorers. Gamers larger up however not as far proper are leaning extra towards playmaking. You need steadiness, however some groups have position specialists who nonetheless present excessive worth.
This chart is beneficial for figuring out which skaters are main the cost in uncooked level technology, quite than simply territorial metrics. For groups attempting to come back again in a sequence, gamers within the decrease left , low objectives and low assists , are doubtless those who have to step up.
Skater Course of: Anticipated Targets-For% vs Corsi-For%
This final chart plots Anticipated Targets For Share (x-axis) in opposition to Corsi For Share (y-axis). xGF% tells us about shot high quality , how harmful a staff’s likelihood is. CF% tells us about shot quantity, how a lot puck possession a staff has relative to its opponent. In hockey phrases, proper means higher possibilities, and up means extra management of the sport.
The highest-right space is the place you wish to be: Top quality, excessive quantity. Carolina is true there. They have been glorious, each at producing harmful alternatives and sustaining offensive strain.
When filtering by staff, the Hurricanes stand out throughout the board. Their high performers are Shayne Gostisbehere, Andrei Svechnikov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Mark Jankowski, and Sean Walker. Gamers like Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake are additionally contributing strong numbers, holding Carolina’s general efficiency regular.
Colorado is a bit decrease on the chart, and that speaks extra to their depth. Their high gamers – Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Artturi Lehkonen – are all exhibiting effectively individually, however the staff’s general place suggests some inconsistency throughout strains.
Dallas is even decrease, which displays a extra conservative or grinding method. That reveals up in how their gamers cluster with numerous them in the identical mid-zone. Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, Lian Bichsel, and Roope Hintz are doing fantastic, however there’s much less separation from the remainder of the lineup.
Taking a look at Edmonton, there isn’t any shock as Leon Draisaitl is means up there. He is been a standout, and even Corey Perry is second on the staff in Corsi. Connor McDavid is true behind them. After that, it is extra even. Evan Bouchard, Vasily Podkolzin are all mid-pack, and guys like Viktor Arvidsson are contributing however not breaking out. Nonetheless, the Oilers are dominating the Kings when it comes to possession and high quality , one thing that turns into even clearer should you spotlight each groups on the chart.
Florida’s high gamers – Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk, and Aleksander Barkov – are all exhibiting up effectively. Their steadiness is what stands out.
For Minnesota, Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Boldy, Zeev Buium and Mats Zuccarello are main the cost. Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin are holding their very own on the again finish.
Amongst different groups, Cole Caufield is producing effectively for Montreal, together with Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Lane Hutson. It is a constructive signal for his or her younger core.
The Devils, now eradicated, had Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat, Luke Hughes, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Dennis Cholowski performing effectively individually, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient.
Ottawa’s main contributors embody Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot, and Claude Giroux.
The Blues’ high participant primarily based on this chart is Jimmy Snuggerud; a shock however supported by the info. Zachary Bolduc, Cam Fowler, and Alex Texier are subsequent in line.
Tampa’s standout names embody Jake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Level, Brandon Hagel, Nick Perbix, Victor Hedman, and Nick Paul.
In Toronto, William Nylander, John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, Nick Robertson, and Calle Jarnkrok are all up there. It is good to see their high gamers driving play, now the query is whether or not they can shut out their sequence.
Vegas is effectively above the median line for each xGF% and CF%, so they have been dominant. Pavel Dorofeyev was their high skater earlier than getting damage, and guys like Tomas Hertl, Nicolas Roy, Brendan Saad, Shea Theodore, Kaedan Korczak, and Zach Whitecloud are all contributing at a robust clip. However Jack Eichel‘s identify is notably absent from that high combine. He is buried decrease on the graph, which displays the attention check, he hasn’t taken over the sequence but, and Vegas will doubtless want him in the event that they wish to go deeper.
Wrapping It Up
These 4 visuals present a snapshot of how groups and gamers are performing thus far within the 2025 NHL Playoffs. Whether or not you are goaltending construction, shot suppression, or offensive steadiness, deciphering these axes by a hockey lens offers the numbers actual which means.
Use these charts to isolate staff strengths, assess particular person workloads, and examine playoff performers in context , not simply by the field rating. Every Tableau chart on this article is interactive. You’ll be able to hover, filter by staff, or click on to spotlight particular person gamers. Use the controls to isolate matchups and examine traits.
Thanks for studying. As at all times, you may attain out to me @DH_staspup with questions or suggestions. See you subsequent week.
