What Does Plus Minus Mean in Hockey? A Easy Explanation 2026

In hockey, plus minus is a statistic that measures a player’s goal differential while they are on the ice at even strength or shorthanded.

If you are new to hockey or just starting to follow player statistics, the plus minus stat can seem confusing at first. You might see numbers like plus ten or minus five next to a player’s name and wonder what they actually mean. Plus minus is one of the most talked about and debated stats in hockey because it tries to measure a player’s overall impact on the game.

In this complete guide, you will learn what plus minus means in hockey, how it is calculated, why it matters, its strengths and weaknesses, and how to understand it like a true hockey fan.

In simple words, it shows whether more goals were scored for or against a player’s team while that player was playing.

Simple Definition of Plus Minus

Plus minus is calculated by adding one when your team scores and subtracting one when the opposing team scores while you are on the ice.

The final number can be positive negative or zero.

How Plus Minus Is Calculated

The calculation follows a very specific rule.

When a Player Gets a Plus

A player earns a plus one when:

Their team scores a goal
They are on the ice at even strength or while shorthanded

When a Player Gets a Minus

A player earns a minus one when:

The opposing team scores a goal
They are on the ice at even strength or while on the power play

Power play goals scored by your own team do not count toward plus minus.

Example of Plus Minus in a Game

Imagine a player is on the ice for:

Three goals scored by their team
One goal scored by the opposing team

That player’s plus minus for the game would be plus two.

If the opposite happened and they were on the ice for one goal for and three goals against, their plus minus would be minus two.

Why Power Play Goals Do Not Count

Power play goals scored by your team are excluded because the advantage comes from having more players on the ice, not necessarily from individual defensive or offensive play.

However, if a player is on the ice during a shorthanded goal against, they receive a minus.

Plus Minus at Even Strength

Most plus minus statistics come from even strength situations where both teams have the same number of players on the ice.

This is considered the fairest situation to judge overall impact.

What Is a Good Plus Minus in Hockey

A good plus minus depends on context.

Generally speaking:

A positive number means strong overall impact
A number above plus ten over a season is considered good
Elite players on strong teams may reach plus thirty or higher

A negative plus minus does not always mean a player is bad. Team quality and role matter a lot.

Plus Minus by Player Position

Defensemen

Defensemen are heavily affected by plus minus because they are on the ice for many defensive situations.

A strong plus minus often reflects solid defensive play.

Forwards

Forwards may have higher or lower plus minus depending on their role.

Defensive forwards may have strong plus minus
Offensive forwards may have lower plus minus if they take more risks

Plus Minus and Team Strength

Plus minus is strongly influenced by how good the team is.

Players on strong teams usually have higher plus minus numbers
Players on weak teams may struggle even if they play well

This is one reason why plus minus should not be used alone to judge a player.

Strengths of the Plus Minus Stat

Plus minus has value because it:

Shows overall on ice goal impact
Rewards two way play
Encourages defensive responsibility
Reflects real game situations

It highlights players who help their team outscore opponents.

Limitations of Plus Minus

Plus minus is not perfect and has several weaknesses.

It does not account for quality of teammates
It does not measure individual skill directly
It is influenced by goaltending
It ignores puck possession and shot quality

Because of this, modern hockey analysis often uses plus minus alongside advanced stats.

Plus Minus vs Advanced Analytics

Advanced stats like Corsi Fenwick and expected goals provide deeper insights into puck possession and scoring chances.

Plus minus focuses only on actual goals, while advanced stats look at patterns and probabilities.

Many analysts prefer to use both together.

Plus Minus in the NHL

Plus minus is an official statistic tracked by the NHL.

It is commonly displayed during broadcasts and on player stat pages. While its importance has decreased slightly with advanced analytics, it still remains a widely recognized metric.

Historical Importance of Plus Minus

Plus minus was once considered one of the most important player stats.

Before advanced analytics became popular, it was one of the main ways to evaluate defensive responsibility and overall contribution.

Common Misunderstandings About Plus Minus

Some fans think plus minus only measures defense. In reality, it measures both offense and defense together.

Others believe a negative plus minus means poor performance, which is not always true.

Context matters.

Does Plus Minus Matter for Awards

Plus minus can influence perception but rarely decides awards on its own.

Awards like the Hart Trophy or Norris Trophy consider many factors including points leadership ice time and overall impact.

Plus Minus in Youth and Amateur Hockey

Plus minus is also tracked in amateur and youth hockey, though it should be used carefully.

At younger levels, player development is more important than statistics.

Key Points to Remember

Plus minus measures goal differential while on ice
It applies mostly to even strength situations
Positive numbers suggest strong overall impact
Team strength affects plus minus heavily
It should be used with other stats

FAQs

What does plus minus mean in hockey?
It shows how many goals were scored for or against a player’s team while they were on the ice.

Is plus minus a good stat?
It is useful but incomplete and should be viewed with context.

Do goalies have plus minus?
No goalies do not receive plus minus ratings.

Does plus minus include empty net goals?
Yes empty net goals count if the player is on the ice.

Is a negative plus minus always bad?
No it can reflect team performance or player role.

Conclusion

Understanding what plus minus means in hockey helps fans better evaluate a player’s overall impact on the game. Plus minus shows whether a team scores more or allows more goals when a player is on the ice, especially at even strength.

While it has limitations and should not be used alone, plus minus remains a valuable and widely recognized statistic. When combined with other metrics and proper context, it offers meaningful insight into a player’s contribution on both ends of the ice.