What is Shots on Goal?

Shots that reach the goaltender, forcing him to make a save or allowing a goal.

What this tells us

When a player takes a shot on goal, it means the puck got through to the goalie — no blocked shots, no misses wide or high. A higher number means the player or team is putting the puck where it matters: on net, where goals come from. A skater with a lot of shots on goal is creating chances; a team that outshoot their opponent usually wins.

Limitations

Shots on goal doesn't tell you how dangerous those shots are. A shot from the point looks the same as a rebound from three feet away. A goalie facing 30 shots on goal from the perimeter has an easier night than one facing 20 from the slot. That's why we also show xG, which weighs shots by their scoring probability.

Example

A top-line forward typically records 3–5 shots on goal per game. A defenseman might average 1–2. A team outshooting their opponent 35–20 is usually controlling play and creating more opportunities.