Save (ice hockey)

How a save is credited

Official scorers credit a save whenever the puck is legally shot on goal and the goaltender stops it from becoming a goal. If a puck is directed toward the net and rebounds back into play after contacting the goalie, the initial stop is a save even if a subsequent shot results in a goal. Saves are counted per shot faced and do not include plays such as blocked shots by skaters or loose-puck recoveries.

Common techniques and equipment

Goaltenders use a variety of techniques and pieces of equipment to make saves. Common methods include glove catches, blocker stops, pad saves using leg pads, stick deflections, and body or skate saves. Modern protective gear — masks, chest protectors, leg pads, gloves, and blockers — both enables and shapes how saves are made by changing mobility and coverage.

Statistics: save percentage and interpretation

The primary individual statistic derived from saves is the save percentage (often shown as SV%). It is the ratio of saves made to shots on goal faced, expressed as a decimal or percentage. Coaches, analysts, and fans use save percentage to compare goaltenders, but it should be interpreted with context: the number and quality of shots faced, team defensive play, and sample size all influence the figure.

History and evolving analysis

Recording saves and calculating save percentage became common as box scores and goaltender evaluation developed through the 20th century. In recent decades, advanced analytics have supplemented raw save totals with metrics that consider shot location, shot danger, and expected goals against, producing more nuanced assessments than save percentage alone.

Importance and limitations

Saves are central to measuring a goaltender's contribution: more stops typically mean fewer goals allowed and better team results. However, a goaltender's save totals cannot fully reflect performance without considering defensive support, special teams, and the context of each shot. Distinctions to note include the difference between a recorded save and a blocked shot by a skater, and the special handling of shootout attempts and empty-net situations in various statistical treatments.

• Key point: A save counts only on shots that are on target.
• Related stats: save percentage, goals-against average, and advanced expected-goals metrics.
• Limitations: raw save totals can be misleading without shot quality and team context.

For further overview of the sport and goaltending roles, see general coverage of ice hockey and resources on the position of the goaltender.