Plus–minus (sports)
A hockey statistic measuring goal differential while a player is on ice.
Plus–minus (+/−, ±, plus/minus) is a sports statistic that measures a player's impact by comparing the total goals scored by their team against the total goals scored by the opponent while that player is on the ice. In ice hockey, this statistic reflects a player's goal differential. When a goal is scored at even strength or while shorthanded, every player on the ice for the scoring team receives a plus, and every player on the ice for the team that conceded receives a minus. No plus or minus points are awarded for power-play goals. Empty-net situations are treated like even-strength play, except when the scoring team is on the power play. Goals from penalty shots are not counted.
The statistic is calculated for each game and is heavily influenced by the team's overall offensive and defensive performance. Its accuracy in measuring individual player contribution is a subject of debate.
The plus–minus statistic was first used in the 1950s by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) to evaluate their own players. It was hockey's first advanced statistic and became an official NHL statistic in the 1959–60 season.
Traditional plus–minus has limitations. It excludes certain goal types, such as power-play goals, and weights every included goal equally, regardless of whether it was scored at even strength, shorthanded, or into an empty net. It is also not applied to goaltenders. An alternative called situational plus–minus (Sit +/−) accounts for all team-based goals except penalty shots and shootout goals. Each goal is weighted by the number of skaters (excluding goaltenders) on the ice. The rating is calculated by dividing the number of skaters on the conceding team by the number of skaters on the scoring team, awarding a plus to all players (including goaltenders) on the scoring team and a minus to all players (including goaltenders) on the conceding team.
The NHL introduced the Plus-Minus Award for the 1982–83 season, given to the player with the highest plus rating who appeared in at least 60 games. Originally called the Emery Edge Award, its first winner was Charlie Huddy of the Edmonton Oilers. The award was last presented for the 2007–08 season, when it was known as the Bud Light Plus/Minus Award and was won by Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings.
Though pioneered in hockey, the plus–minus statistic has been adapted for other sports.
- First used
- 1950s
- First team to use
- Montreal Canadiens
- Became official nhl statistic
- 1959-60
- Nhl plus-minus award introduced
- 1982-83 season
- First winner of plus-minus award
- Charlie Huddy
- Last winner of plus-minus award
- Pavel Datsyuk
- Last season award given
- 2007-08
Lore & Background
The plus/minus statistic was first used in the 1950s by the Montreal Canadiens, a National Hockey League (NHL) team, for evaluating its own players. Plus-minus was hockey's first enhanced statistic, becoming an official NHL statistic in 1959-60. The NHL introduced the Plus-Minus Award in the 1982-83 season, awarded to the top plus player for that season that played in at least 60 games. The award was named the Emery Edge Award and was won in the inaugural season by Charlie Huddy of the Edmonton Oilers. The award was last given for the 2007-08 season, at which point it was named the Bud Light Plus/Minus Award and was won by Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings.
A player's plus−minus statistic is calculated for each game played. The statistic is directly affected by overall team performance, influenced by both the offensive and defensive performance of the team as a whole. However, there is controversy in the effectiveness of the plus−minus statistic's ability to accurately convey a player's individual performance. There are some drawbacks to the traditional calculation, including that not all types of goals are included (specifically power play goals), every included goal is weighted the same regardless of situation, and traditional plus–minus is not applied to goaltenders.
Situational plus–minus (Sit +/−) is an alternative calculation that takes into account all types of "team-based" goals, excluding only penalty shot and shootout goals. Each goal is weighted based on the number of skaters on the ice, applied as a plus to all players (including goaltenders) on the ice for the scoring team and as a minus for all players (including goaltenders) on the ice for the team scored upon.
Reader's Guide
The plus−minus statistic, though pioneered in ice hockey, has found its way into use in other sports and areas of life. In basketball, the NBA's Houston Rockets first utilized a modified version of the stat, which indicated that Shane Battier, who had a plus–minus score of plus 10, was a much more effective player than had been previously believed. A plus−minus statistic has been used in sports economics to analyze the degree of competitive balance over time in association football. The statistic's legacy is marked by both its adoption as the NHL's first enhanced statistic and the ongoing controversy over its ability to accurately convey individual player performance, as it is directly affected by overall team performance. The creation of situational plus–minus represents an attempt to address some of the traditional calculation's drawbacks by including more goal types and weighting them by skater count, as well as applying the statistic to goaltenders.
Did You Know?
- The NHL Plus-Minus Award was first won by Charlie Huddy of the Edmonton Oilers in 1982-83.
- In basketball, the Houston Rockets used a modified plus–minus stat to show Shane Battier had a plus 10 rating.
More in Ice Hockey Terminology, Part 2 1-24
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