Hockey Goalie Save Percentage Calculator (SV%)
Calculate save percentage from shots faced and goals allowed, plus how your SV% compares to typical NHL and youth benchmarks.
Reviewed for accuracy by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist
Hockey Goalie Save Percentage Calculator (SV%)
Calculator
Adjust values & calculateEnter your values below. Every result is computed in your browser — no data is sent to any server.
Formula: SV% = (Shots Against - Goals Against) / Shots Against
Worked example — SV% = .920 (Excellent) | 25.4 saves/game | GAA = 2.21
Formula
SV% = (Shots Against - Goals Against) / Shots Against
Save Percentage equals saves divided by total shots faced. This calculator breaks down SV% by situation: even strength (5v5), power play, and shorthanded.
Worked Examples
Example 1: NHL Starter Season Save Percentage
Problem:A goaltender faces 1,050 shots and allows 84 goals in 38 games played.
Solution:Saves = 1050 - 84 = 966 SV% = 966 / 1050 = .920 Saves per game = 966 / 38 = 25.4 Shots per game = 1050 / 38 = 27.6 GAA = 84 / 38 = 2.21
Result:SV% = .920 (Excellent) | 25.4 saves/game | GAA = 2.21
Example 2: Situational Save Percentage Breakdown
Problem:Even strength: 800 shots, 58 goals. Power play: 180 shots, 22 goals. Shorthanded: 20 shots, 1 goal.
Solution:ES SV% = (800 - 58) / 800 = 742/800 = .928 PP SV% = (180 - 22) / 180 = 158/180 = .878 SH SV% = (20 - 1) / 20 = 19/20 = .950 Overall = (1000 - 81) / 1000 = .919
Result:Overall .919 | ES .928 | PP .878 | SH .950
Frequently Asked Questions
What is goalie save percentage and how is it calculated?
Goalie save percentage (SV%) is the most fundamental goaltending statistic in hockey, calculated by dividing the number of saves by the total number of shots faced. The formula is SV% = (Shots Against - Goals Against) / Shots Against, or equivalently SV% = Saves / Shots Against. For example, a goalie who faces 30 shots and allows 2 goals has made 28 saves, giving a save percentage of 28/30 = .933. Save percentage is expressed as a decimal to three places (like .920) rather than as a traditional percentage. It is widely regarded as the best single-number measure of individual goaltender performance because it accounts for shot volume.
What is a good save percentage in the NHL?
In the modern NHL, a save percentage of .920 or higher is considered excellent and places a goaltender among the league elite. The league average save percentage typically falls between .905 and .910, meaning the average NHL goalie stops roughly 91% of shots faced. A save percentage between .912 and .920 is above average and indicative of a solid starter. Below .900 is generally considered poor for an NHL goaltender and may warrant being replaced or sent to the minors. The highest single-season save percentages in NHL history have been around .940, achieved by goalies like Tim Thomas and Brian Elliott during exceptional seasons.
Why is even-strength save percentage more important than overall save percentage?
Even-strength save percentage (5v5 SV%) is considered more important because it isolates goaltender performance in the most common game situation and removes the distortion caused by special teams play. On the penalty kill, goalies face extremely difficult shots from the power play unit, and the number of power-play shots varies based on team discipline rather than goalie skill. Including these shots can unfairly penalize goalies on undisciplined teams that take many penalties. Even-strength play accounts for roughly 75 to 80% of game time and provides the most stable, predictive measure of goaltender ability. Analytics-focused teams prioritize 5v5 SV% in their evaluations.
How does shot quality affect save percentage?
Shot quality has a significant impact on save percentage because not all shots are equally difficult to stop. A shot from the high slot or during a breakaway is far more dangerous than a shot from the point through traffic. Goalies who face a higher proportion of high-danger chances will naturally have lower save percentages even if they are equally skilled. This is why advanced metrics like High-Danger Save Percentage (HDSV%) and Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) have become increasingly important. These metrics account for the expected goal probability of each shot, allowing analysts to evaluate whether a goalie is performing better or worse than expected given the shots they face.
How many shots does a goalie need to face for save percentage to stabilize?
Research in hockey analytics has shown that save percentage requires approximately 1,500 to 2,000 shots faced at even strength to stabilize and become a reliable predictor of future performance. This translates to roughly a full NHL season of starter workload. At smaller sample sizes, save percentage is heavily influenced by randomness, shot quality variance, and luck. This is why a goalie hot streak over 10 games does not necessarily indicate elite talent, and a cold streak does not mean the goalie has lost their ability. The slow stabilization rate is one of the reasons goaltender evaluation is considered the most difficult position assessment in professional sports.
What is the difference between save percentage on different shot types?
Save percentage varies dramatically by shot type, reflecting the different difficulty levels goalies face. On wrist shots, which are the most common, NHL goalies typically save around 93 to 94% of attempts. Slap shots from distance have a save percentage around 95% because they are usually from further out. Snap shots have save percentages similar to wrist shots. Deflections and tips are the hardest to stop, with save percentages often below 85% because the goalie cannot anticipate the puck direction after the deflection. Wraparound attempts are stopped at very high rates (above 97%) because the goalie is usually positioned well for these predictable plays.
How has the average save percentage changed in the NHL over time?
The average NHL save percentage has generally trended upward over the past several decades due to improvements in goaltending technique, equipment, and athleticism. In the 1980s, the league average save percentage was around .875 to .885. By the mid-1990s, it had climbed to around .900 as the butterfly style became dominant. The early 2000s saw save percentages peak around .910 to .915 during the dead-puck era. After the 2005 lockout rule changes, save percentages dipped slightly but have since stabilized around .905 to .910. Modern goaltenders are larger, more athletic, and use more efficient movement systems than their predecessors.
Can save percentage be used to compare goalies across different teams?
Save percentage is better than wins or GAA for cross-team comparisons, but it still has limitations because it does not account for shot quality differences between teams. A goalie on a team with strong defensive systems faces fewer high-danger chances, which inflates their save percentage compared to a goalie on a team that allows many breakaways and odd-man rushes. To make fairer comparisons, analysts use metrics like Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) which adjusts for shot quality, or they focus on specific shot-quality buckets like high-danger save percentage. Despite these limitations, save percentage remains a useful starting point for comparing goalies across teams.
What is the relationship between workload and save percentage?
Research has shown a complex relationship between goaltender workload and save percentage. Goalies who face a moderate number of shots (25 to 30 per game) tend to have their best save percentages because they stay engaged without being overwhelmed. Very low shot totals (under 20) can sometimes lead to lower save percentages because the goalie loses focus and rhythm, though this varies by individual. Very high shot totals (above 40) can lead to fatigue-related declines in save percentage, particularly in the third period. Over a season, goalies who start too many games in a row without rest show declining save percentages, which is why workload management matters.
How do playoff save percentages compare to regular season numbers?
Playoff save percentages tend to be slightly lower than regular season numbers for most goaltenders, typically dropping by about .005 to .010 points. This occurs because playoff hockey features more structured defensive play that limits low-quality shots, meaning a higher proportion of shots that do get through are dangerous scoring chances. Additionally, the intensity and pressure of playoff hockey can affect performance, and teams face the same opponent repeatedly, allowing shooters to exploit goaltender weaknesses. However, elite goaltenders often maintain or even improve their save percentages in the playoffs, which is one factor that separates truly great goalies from merely good ones.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist · Editorial policy
Related Calculators
🧮Goalie Quality Start Percentage Calculator (QS%)
Calculate goalie quality start percentage with inputs, formulas, and instant results.
🧮Save Percentage
Calculate save percentage with inputs, formulas, and instant results.
🧮Fielding Percentage
Calculate fielding percentage with inputs, formulas, and instant results.
🧮On Base Percentage
Calculate on base percentage with inputs, formulas, and instant results.
🧮Slugging Percentage
Calculate slugging percentage with inputs, formulas, and instant results.
🧮Rebound Percentage Calculator (Basketball Stats)
Calculate rebound percentage with inputs, formulas, and instant results.
🧮Expected Goals (hockey) (for Contrast)
Calculate expected goals (hockey) (for contrast) with inputs, formulas, and instant results.
🧮Expected Goals (hockey)
Calculate expected goals (hockey) with inputs, formulas, and instant results.