Calculate save percentage for hockey and soccer goalies. The premier efficiency metric for goaltender performance.
Last updated: March 2026 | By Patchworkr Team
Save Percentage
91.7%
Excellent - modern NHL benchmark (era-dependent)
Total Saves: 275 out of 300 shots
| SV% Range | Rating | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| .925+ | Elite (modern NHL) | Top-tier Norris/Hart contender |
| .920–.925 | Excellent (modern NHL) | All-Star caliber starter |
| .910–.920 | Good (modern NHL) | Strong starting goaltender |
| .905–.910 | Average (era-dependent) | League average (2015+ era) |
| .900–.905 | Below average (era-dependent) | Backup/platoon consideration |
| <.900 | Poor | Needs significant improvement |
💡 Pro Tip: Context matters—team defense, high-danger shot percentage, and play style all influence SV%. Compare against league average for the same era instead of treating the bands as universal.
Save Percentage (SV%) is the ratio of saves made by a goaltender to the total number of shots faced, expressed as a percentage. It measures how effectively a goalie stops shots, regardless of the quality of their team's defense. A save percentage of .920 (92.0%) means the goaltender stopped 92 out of every 100 shots faced.
Unlike Goals Against Average (GAA) which can be heavily influenced by team defensive play, save percentage better isolates goaltender skill since it measures shot-stopping efficiency on a per-shot basis. Elite NHL goalies typically maintain save percentages above .920 throughout a season, while league average hovers around .905-.915. Even small differences matter—a .920 save percentage versus .900 represents two additional goals allowed per 100 shots.
Modern hockey analytics consider save percentage the most important traditional goaltending statistic. It's relatively stable year-to-year for established goalies, making it predictive of future performance. Advanced metrics like High-Danger Save Percentage (HDSV%) and Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) build upon basic save percentage to provide even deeper insights into goaltending quality.
Saves = Shots Against - Goals Against. The formula measures the percentage of shots successfully stopped.
Calculate save percentage for a goaltender's season:
Rating: Excellent — top-10 starting goaltender
Stopped 1,700 of 1,842 shots (92.3% efficiency)
In the NHL, .915+ is above average, .920+ is excellent, and .930+ is elite. League average typically ranges from .905 to .915. A .920 goalie allows 8 goals per 100 shots; a .900 goalie allows 10—that difference compounds over a season.
Yes, most analysts prefer SV% because it measures shot-stopping efficiency independent of team defense. A great goalie on a weak team can have a poor GAA but excellent SV%, while an average goalie on a strong team can have good GAA with mediocre SV%.
Absolutely. Goalies facing more high-danger chances (close-range, odd-man rushes) naturally have lower save percentages. Advanced stats like High-Danger Save % (HDSV%) and Expected Goals Against (xGA) account for shot quality to provide better context.
Short-term yes, long-term no. Over 5-10 games, luck plays a role—shooters hit posts, get unlucky bounces. Over a full season (40+ games), SV% stabilizes and reflects true skill. Elite goalies consistently maintain .920+ year after year.
Shootout attempts typically aren't included in SV% calculations since they're not part of regulation play. However, some leagues track separate shootout save percentages. Check your specific league's stat definitions.
No, all shots count equally in traditional SV%. A save on a breakaway and a save on a point shot both count as one save. This is why advanced metrics separate shot types (high-danger, medium-danger, low-danger) for deeper analysis.
In the modern NHL (post-2005 lockout), Tim Thomas holds the record with .938 (2010-11 season). Historically, Tony Esposito posted .932 (1971-72). Anything above .930 for a full season is exceptional and typically wins the Vezina Trophy.
Around 500-600 shots (approximately 20-25 games) provides reasonable reliability. Smaller samples are noisy—a few bad bounces significantly impact percentages. Full-season stats (1,500-2,000+ shots) give the clearest picture of goalie ability.