Welcome!

Data you need to understand to become an amateur NHL commentator

Welcome to our blog on NHL shot geography and offensive style. This website explores a simple idea: not all shots in hockey are equally dangerous. A shot from the blue line and a shot from the slot both count as one shot, but they have very different chances of becoming goals. Because of that, shot totals alone can hide important differences in how teams and players create offense.

Our intended audience is hockey fans, beginner sports analytics readers, and students interested in spatial data visualization. We designed this website to help readers move from a basic question, “who shoots the most?”, to a better question, “who creates the most dangerous chances, and where do those chances come from?” Through rink maps and data definitions, team and player comparisons, animation and interactive visuals, and key hockey terms, our goal is to tell a clear data story about how shot quality and location reveal offensive style.

To follow the project, start with the overview page to understand the dataset and key variables. Then visit the case study page to see how these ideas apply to specific teams and players. If you are new to hockey or expected goals, the FAQ page explains the main terms used throughout the website.