In 2010-11, the Boston Bruins led the NHL in 5-on-5 scoring, with a ratio of 1.4. Which meant for every 1.4 goals they scored, they only allowed one against. The Bruins would go on to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972, despite a power play that struggled all season and throughout the playoffs. Boston’s 5-on-5 scoring ratio in the playoffs that year was a whopping 1.82.
As such, B’s fans will no doubt be happy to hear that their team is once again leading the league in 5-on-5 scoring ratio, with a mark of 1.59.
Here’s how all 30 teams in the league rank:
1. BOSTON 1.59
2. ANAHEIM 1.42
3. CHICAGO 1.39
4. ST LOUIS 1.38
5. LOS ANGELES 1.25
6. SAN JOSE 1.21
7. TAMPA BAY 1.18
8. MINNESOTA 1.11
9. COLORADO 1.10
10. PITTSBURGH 1.07
11. COLUMBUS 1.06
12. PHOENIX 1.03
13. NY RANGERS 1.02
14. DETROIT 1.00
15. PHILADELPHIA 0.98
16. DALLAS 0.97
17. TORONTO 0.94
18. VANCOUVER 0.94
19. WINNIPEG 0.94
20. OTTAWA 0.94
21. MONTREAL 0.90
22. WASHINGTON 0.88
23. FLORIDA 0.88
24. CAROLINA 0.88
25. NEW JERSEY 0.88
26. NY ISLANDERS 0.83
27. CALGARY 0.79
28. NASHVILLE 0.78
29. EDMONTON 0.72
30. BUFFALO 0.61
For the most part, this list comes fairly close to mirroring the Corsi* 5-on-5 list, with a few exceptions. For example, Colorado, which ranks a respectable ninth in the scoring list above but only 26th in Corsi. The difference? The Avs score on a higher percentage of their shots than most teams, and they’ve gotten great goaltending. Conversely, there’s a team like New Jersey, which ranks 25th above, but third in Corsi. The difference? You guessed it -- the Devils’ low shooting and save percentages when 5-on-5.
*Corsi definition, via Extra Skater: Corsi is the number of shot attempts by a team or player. It’s used as a proxy for puck possession.