Effect of Performance Determinants on NHL Final Goal Difference

Abstract

Introduction: In ice hockey games, the team's performance is influenced by many contextual factors, and understanding playing styles allows to reveal how key performance indicators vary under different situations. Objective: This research aims to explore the playing styles of elite ice-hockey teams and to identify key performance aspects under different final goal difference situations. Methods: This article analyzed compared the match performance of 31 National Hockey League teams during 1271 matches considering their playing styles and final goal difference. Results: The principal component analysis obtained 8 performance components describing the technical-tactical styles of the teams. The subsequent analysis found that there was significant difference between three match outcomes in unfavorable state, major penalties, puck possession maintaining ability, shot defending ability, aggressive performance (p<0.001; = 0.007-0.273). Conclusions: Higher-ranked teams winning the unbalanced games showed better performance in shot defending ability and aggressive performance. Lower-ranked teams losing in unbalanced games kept less possession of the puck and were more likely to be shorthanded (p<0.05, ES=0.131-1.410). The study demonstrates how playing styles can be used to contextualize key determinants from ice hockey games. Level of evidence I; Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of Treatment.