Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Save percentage = saves ÷ shots faced. It is the most important single goaltending stat because it controls for the volume of shots faced, unlike goals-against average. In the NHL, .910 is roughly average for a starter; .920+ is above average; .930+ is elite. Year-to-year variation is significant, and team defence (shot quality allowed) affects the stat.
- .910 = roughly NHL average
- .920+ above average, .930+ elite
- Better than GAA (controls for volume)
- Team defence affects individual SV%
In practice
Save percentage (saves divided by total shots faced) standardizes goalkeeper performance comparison regardless of how many shots a team's defense allows them to face — a goalkeeper facing many shots behind a weak defense can still post a strong save percentage, which is why it's generally considered a fairer measure of individual goalkeeping skill than raw save count or goals-against average alone.
FAQ
What's considered a good save percentage in hockey?
Above .910 is considered solid for an NHL goaltender over a season, with elite goaltenders often posting .920+.
Why is save percentage considered fairer than goals-against average?
Goals-against average is heavily influenced by how strong the team's defense is in limiting shots, while save percentage isolates the goalkeeper's own shot-stopping performance relative to the shots they actually faced.