Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Save percentage measures shots stopped, goals-against average measures goals allowed per 60 minutes, and quality starts count how often a goalie meets a stated game-level standard. They describe different parts of a goalie’s record, so none is a substitute for the others.
What does goalie save percentage mean?
Save percentage (SV%) is saves divided by shots faced. The NHL glossary states: “Save percentage is determined by dividing saves by shots faced.” It is usually written as a decimal: .900 means the goalie stopped 90% of shots faced.
For example, 27 saves on 30 shots is .900 (27 ÷ 30). Since shots faced are saves plus goals allowed, the same calculation can be written as saves ÷ (saves + goals allowed). The NHL glossary counts shots on goal: a shot, tip, or deflection that enters the net or would have entered without a save—not every attempt directed toward the net.
SV% gives each shot equal weight. It does not indicate how dangerous those shots were, and a short stretch can fluctuate more than a longer one. The sources here establish no universal minimum number of shots or games for a fair comparison, so compare the sample size and period alongside the rate.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems#1 Best Overall
- REFLEX BUILDER: The Champro Reaction Ball is designed to bounce randomly, so athletes can enhance their hand-eye coordination and improve reaction time.
- VERSATILE: Train with the Reaction Ball to prepare for any sport. Athletes honing their skills to perform in baseball, softball, football, soccer, or hockey games can decrease their reaction time, improve alertness, and enhance agility.
- SOLO OR PARTNER TRAINING: Train solo by throwing the reaction ball against a wall or work with a partner to create drills with extreme and unexpected flight paths.
- DURABILITY: The ball is made of highly durable, long-lasting rubber
- FUN: Not only is this item a great way to train for all sports, but it’s also an entertaining way to play with your dog, kids, or friends.
What is goals-against average?
Goals-against average (GAA) is goals allowed per 60 minutes of playing time. The NHL formula is goals allowed × 60 ÷ minutes played. Two goals allowed in 60 minutes gives a 2.00 GAA; two goals in 30 minutes gives a 4.00 GAA.
A lower GAA means fewer goals allowed per 60 minutes, but it is not a save percentage: its denominator is playing time, not shots faced. It can also reflect the team’s defense and the game situation, not only the goalie’s performance.
Rank #2
- Innovative, slick pad wax, made with quality soy wax.
What counts as a quality start?
Quality start (QS) is a game-level label, not a season rate. Under Hockey-Reference’s definition, “A Quality Start (QS) is when the goalie achieves at least the mean save percentage (for the season) in a game.” Quality-start percentage (QS%) is quality starts divided by starts. It measures how often a goalie reached that bar, not how far above or below it each game fell.
Definitions are not universal. A 2024 peer-reviewed study used an operational definition that could qualify a start either by a game SV% above that year’s mean or by allowing fewer than three goals while stopping at least 88.5% of shots. That is the study’s method, not an interchangeable version of Hockey-Reference’s rule. When comparing QS figures, check which definition the source uses.
Rank #3
- NOTE: Please select either the small or large size according to the dimensions of the hockey goal to avoid sizing errors.
- 72" GOALIE SHOOTING TARGET:Upgraded 7-hole layout, highly replicating the scoring area in a match. Practice shooting by hitting the corners and beating the goalkeeper to effectively improve shooting accuracy and technique.
- 600D THICKENED TARGET NET : This hockey shooting tarp is made of thickened 600D polyester fabric with reinforced stitching, providing stronger wear resistance and water repellency. It can withstand the most difficult shots while maintaining its shape and withstanding various environmental tests.
- REALISTIC GAME SCENARIOS: High-contrast, realistic goalkeeper patterns recreate real game scenarios. Through intensive training focused on locking onto target areas, players can learn to break through the goalkeeper's defence in real matches.
- EASY TO INSTALL: Reinforced straps fit snugly on any standard 72" X 48" Hockey Goal and can be installed in less than a minute, completely solving the problem of target net displacement during training. The foldable structure is convenient for transportation and storage.
Hockey-Reference’s 2014 methodology post offered historical rules of thumb: below 50% was “bad,” above 60% was among league leaders, and the league average for an NHL regular was about 53.4%. These are dated benchmarks from that post, not a current-season standard. The available sources do not establish definitive 2026–27 league averages for SV% or GAA.
How do the three goalie stats differ?
| Stat | What it counts | Denominator | What it helps you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| SV% | Shots stopped | Shots faced | The share of shots on goal a goalie saves |
| GAA | Goals allowed, scaled to 60 minutes | Minutes played | The rate of goals allowed over playing time |
| QS% | Starts meeting a stated quality-start rule | Starts | How frequently a goalie met that game-level bar |
Use the measures as complementary views, not as interchangeable grades. SV% is a shot-based rate, GAA is time-based, and QS% is a frequency of qualifying starts. A goalie may look different across them because they count different things and reflect different context.
Rank #4
- 54" GOALIE SHOOTING TARGET: Practice your shooting by hitting the corners and beating the goaltender with this easy attach practice target
- EASY SET UP: Adjustable self-stick straps wrap around the goal posts for easy and quick installation on any standard 54" x 44" goal
- DURABLE FLEX FABRIC: The rugged nylon fabric is built tough to handle even the hardest slap shots and the waterproof construction ensures that this target can stand up to the elements
- IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS: This dynamic 54" goalie shooting target is perfect for practicing shot accuracy and location to help you become an elite goal scorer!
- OFFICIAL STREET HOCKEY BALL: Designed for use with official 2 5/8" street hockey ball only
How to compare goalies fairly
- Match the period and competition. Compare the same season and level of play, and avoid mixing a career rate with a short recent run.
- Include workload. Check shots faced for SV%, minutes played for GAA, and starts for QS%. Starts alone do not capture how long each start lasted or how many shots a goalie faced, as a 2024 retrospective study notes.
- Check the quality-start definition. Confirm the source and rule before comparing QS% figures.
- Account for shot danger and situation. Raw SV% and GAA do not adjust for the difficulty of each shot. NHL EDGE reports save-percentage splits by danger level and game situation; adjusted save percentage and goals saved above average are examples of measures intended to add context.
One dated illustration comes from NHL.com’s 2025–26 NHL EDGE coverage: among qualifying goalies with a minimum of 22 games, Ilya Sorokin had a .878 high-danger SV%, Andrei Vasilevskiy had .846, and the NHL average was .814. These are season- and category-specific figures, not universal standards for a “good” goalie or 2026–27 benchmarks.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Two (2) Regulation Ice Hockey Training Pucks
- Great Training Tool for Goalies
- Manufactured by Inglasco, Official Puck Supplier to the NHL
- Official Size (3" Diameter) & Weight (6 oz.)
- Color: White
Sources
- NHL Hockey Glossary — official terminology and formulas.
- Hockey-Reference: Games Started, Quality Starts on Hockey-Reference.com — quality-start definition and 2014 historical interpretation.
- Load Management Among Professional Hockey Goalies: A Retrospective Cohort Study (2024) — an alternate operational definition and workload caveat.
- NHL EDGE stats: Sorokin building strong case for Vezina Trophy — 2025–26 danger-split example.
- Goalkeepers (Annual Reviews, 2018) — overview of contextual goalie measures.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
