stats

Goals Against Average Formula Explained Simply

Goals Against Average (GAA) is a crucial statistic in hockey that measures a goaltender's performance by calculating the average number of goals they allow per game. Understanding the GAA formula can provide valuable insights into a goaltender's skills and effectiveness in the net.

Goals Against Average Formula

At its core, the GAA formula is straightforward: it divides the total number of goals allowed by the total number of minutes played, then multiplies the result by 60. This calculation provides a clear picture of a goaltender's average goals allowed per game.

Breaking Down the GAA Formula

To calculate a goaltender's GAA, you'll need to know two key pieces of information:

  • Total number of goals allowed
  • Total number of minutes played

With these numbers in hand, you can plug them into the GAA formula:

GAA = (Total Goals Allowed / Total Minutes Played) x 60

GAA Calculation

For example, let's say a goaltender allowed 20 goals in 1,200 minutes of play. To calculate their GAA, you would divide 20 by 1,200, then multiply the result by 60:

GAA = (20 / 1,200) x 60 = 1.00

This means the goaltender allows an average of 1 goal per game.

Why GAA Matters in Hockey

GAA is a critical metric in hockey because it provides a clear measure of a goaltender's effectiveness. A lower GAA indicates that a goaltender is allowing fewer goals per game, while a higher GAA suggests they are allowing more.

In the context of team performance, a low GAA can be a key factor in a team's success. Conversely, a high GAA can be a major obstacle to overcome.

GAA Importance

Real-World Examples of GAA in Action

To illustrate the significance of GAA, let's consider a few real-world examples:

  • In the 2019-2020 NHL season, the top 5 goaltenders with the lowest GAA were:
      1. Ben Bishop (DAL) - 2.07
      1. Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) - 2.22
      1. Carey Price (MTL) - 2.31
      1. Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK) - 2.33
      1. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) - 2.35
  • In contrast, the bottom 5 goaltenders with the highest GAA were:
      1. David Rittich (CGY) - 3.24
      1. Cam Talbot (CGY) - 3.22
      1. James Reimer (CAR) - 3.16
      1. Petr Mrazek (CAR) - 3.14
      1. Mikko Koskinen (EDM) - 3.12

These examples demonstrate how GAA can vary significantly between goaltenders, and how it can impact team performance.

GAA and Team Performance

While GAA is an individual metric, it can have a significant impact on team performance. A goaltender with a low GAA can be a key factor in a team's success, while a goaltender with a high GAA can be a major obstacle to overcome.

In the NHL, teams with top-performing goaltenders tend to perform better overall. For example, in the 2019-2020 season, the top 5 teams with the lowest GAA were:

    1. Boston Bruins - 2.32
    1. Tampa Bay Lightning - 2.38
    1. St. Louis Blues - 2.42
    1. Dallas Stars - 2.45
    1. Vegas Golden Knights - 2.47

These teams all had strong goaltending performances, which contributed to their overall success.

GAA Team Performance

Conclusion

Goals Against Average is a crucial metric in hockey that provides a clear measure of a goaltender's effectiveness. By understanding the GAA formula and its significance, fans and analysts can gain valuable insights into a goaltender's skills and team performance. Whether you're a casual fan or a dedicated analyst, GAA is an essential metric to keep in mind when evaluating goaltenders and teams.

GAA Recap

Final Thoughts

GAA is a key metric in hockey that provides a clear measure of a goaltender's effectiveness. By understanding the GAA formula and its significance, fans and analysts can gain valuable insights into a goaltender's skills and team performance.

Share Your Thoughts

What do you think is the most important factor in a goaltender's success? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Jonny Richards

Love Minecraft, my world is there. At VALPO, you can save as a template and then reuse that template wherever you want.