Advanced Data Points To Utilize in Fantasy Hockey
Fantasy hockey is a game intended to be a form of entertainment that can be combined with the thrill of what is witnessed on the ice throughout the NHL each season. It has allowed fans to enjoy a new way to love the sport or team they are already passionate about while proving that they know everything they need to know about the game when betting on the NHL.
Many will play fantasy hockey to show off to their friends, work colleagues and anyone else who will listen to them. It can be a great way for individuals to be competitive and enhance every game day further, with the potential to win a little bit of money as well.
Of course, there are many ways in which players can create their teams. Still, the way to crack the code when picking their team and getting it correct is by studying the analytics and advanced data of the NHL.
What are NHL analytics, and how do they work?
Data is king in sports, especially now that technology has made big data widely accessible. Numerous advantages can be obtained by utilizing this data, including making wiser fantasy hockey picks.
It is always worth understanding the various analytical tools around the NHL, especially regarding fantasy selections. Many will usually look at basic metrics such as goals scored, assists recorded, total points, PIMs, and maybe plus-minus figures.
Indeed, it is only natural to do so. This is the bread and butter of hockey. However, advanced data could have you seeing opportunities where others cannot.
Corsi
The first of the player statistics that are commonly used around the league are the Corsi figures, which are named after coach Jim Corsi. It has been adapted and developed further to measure approximate shot attempt differential, thus allowing predictions of future goal differentials when particular players are on the ice.
It can also be known as “Shot Attempts (SAT)” and is the sum of shots on goals, missed and blocked shots.
Fenwick
The Fenwick system, which can also be known as the unblocked shot attempts (USAT) around the NHL, follows the Corsi method but counts only shots on goal and missed shots. It excludes blocked shots. Blogger Matt Fenwick has the honor of having it named after him, and teams can use it to try and predict player and team performances that use shot blocking as part of their gameplay strategy.
PDO
PDO – SPSV% in the NHL – is the sum of a team’s shooting percentage and the save percentage of their goaltender. The sum is then multiplied by 10 to make it simpler (it gets you to a whole number) and can be used to see if there has been any improvement or regression. It can be used to determine how lucky a team or player is, thus making it a critical metric that fantasy hockey players might want to consider to maximize their chances of winning.
Offensive zone starts
The term zone starts describes the ratio of how many face-offs a player is on for in the offensive zone compared to the defensive zone. Strategically, teams may look to have their best offensive zone starts as they could create more scoring chances. To calculate it, just use the following formula:
offensive zone starts / (offensive + defensive zone starts)
Ultimately, because fantasy hockey is driven primarily off points, you’ll want players with more offensive zone starts.
Expected goals (xG)
The final statistic being used widely through hockey at the moment that can help an individual trying to build the perfect fantasy team is expected goals.
This is a figure derived from each shot attempt’s probability of success based on where the shot is taken and the type of shot played. It can be used instead of Corsi, as it has been updated and modernized to take each shot at face value and not as equals.
If a player or team is scoring less than their expected goals, it could be a sign that the team or player is on a cold streak. On the other hand, one scoring way more than expected could be on a hot streak that is due to end eventually.
Possession metrics
Aside from those mentioned above, players looking to pick their ultimate fantasy hockey team need to make sure they also keep possession metrics in mind. These metrics can be crucial in successfully predicting a player’s possible point production. If you better understand these metrics, you’ll be able to avoid popular players that are duds and identify diamonds in the rough, which are ultimately a deal breaker in fantasy hockey.
Player’s individual performance
With data available for almost everything, players have nowhere to hide regarding their performance. Each move is tracked, with every offensive and defensive activity being recorded and scrutinized. This can be a beneficial resource for fantasy owners when making informed decisions.
Fantasy players who want to analyze individual performance will want to ensure they have detailed knowledge of certain key aspects to interpret the data correctly. They should understand the player’s actual role for the team and learn how to assess how the player comes into play regarding the penalty kill, power play, and where they slot in the lineup at even strength.
If they can understand this and have knowledge of what a player’s role is, then they will be in a better position to understand their fantasy value better and make accurate picks based on steady performance and just not short-term luck.
Practical ways to apply NHL player analytics to fantasy hockey strategies
While it is useful to know all of the information above, it is important to be able to apply it when making fantasy picks. While it can be difficult to do, several examples and case studies show just how fantasy hockey success can be improved by patiently analyzing data.
Players can make better draft picks, and they may have a competitive edge over the others they are playing if they use advanced data, as they will have information that can help them accurately identify undervalued players, predict breakout stars, and avoid potential busts that their friends don’t.
Whether you’re playing for cold hard cash or simply bragging rights among your friends, implement some of these stats in your next fantasy hockey draft and you’ll notice results.
