The Annual “Is scoring up?” Thread

[Sorry]

Is scoring up this year? Lots of high scoring games early this season.

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[Snippit]

Not in Buffalo

 

[NeelyWasAWarrior]

Teams are more creative on offense. Add that to the skill level in the league and possibly the goalie gear reduction and you're going to get higher scoring games. Me personally, I love it when teams attack and are creative on offense. When they're passive and playing a structured game, it takes some of that creativity out of it which is what makes hockey the best sport in the world.

 

[tarheelhockey]

We hear this every single year.

And last year it did go up.

So maybe.

 

[OVO16]

Arizona over here like

 

[Bedards Dad]

Leafs are averaging 4.6 gpg. Likely wokt keep it up, but that a whole lot of goals.

 

[DaveG]

Players usually have better scoring chances earlier in the season as players find their fit in new systems and new teams. About middle of the season is when you start seeing a lot more of the typical 4-2, 3-2, 3-1 type score lines more often than not as players find their comfort zone.

 

[Blackhawk93]

If you’re playing Ward you’re guaranteed at least 4. Sparks too actually.

 

[NeelyWasAWarrior]

Plus everybody wants to be the next Willie Karlsson. He got a good pay bump because of his year last year when he was pretty much quiet in his time in Columbus. Lots of guys around the league because they're human, want to get a pay bump and so they are apt to try and duplicate that kind of season. Can you imagine a guy who thinks he's as good as Willie K being told by his coach to focus on d first? No Bueno.

 

[Last Gleaming]

It's too early to say anything definitive for this season, but after the Leafs-Hawks game, it stands at 6.03 goals per regulation (OT goals excluded). Just 30 GP though. Last year had a 5.71 average in regulation for the 1271 games. Before that was a string of seasons around 5.2-5.4.

I looked at preseason scoring over the last few seasons. Upward trend there: 2016=4.6, 2017=5.6, 2018=6.3 (regulation only). So, there are signs it could be north of 6 this year.

 

[maacoshark]

So far Ive seen a lot of very sloppy hockey and some shaky goaltending. Its looks like the pond hockey years of the 80s. I'd rather sacrifice some goals and watch some good fundamental hockey.

 

[Machinehead]

Defense always sucks early on, especially if you have a new coach. We have this conversation every year.

 

[M2Beezy]

Canucks 9 goals for 9 goals against in 2 games. Thats pretty high imo

 

[Ezekial]

Well, we scored 2 goals in the first game and we have 1 already with a whole period left against the Kings, so yes. Wings scoring is up.

 

[Nalens Oga]

They SLIGHTLY streamlined goaltender equipment but asides from that, there were no real changes.

Nothing is going to be done about obstruction and no offside type changes so I see no reason for goals/game to go up significantly, probably stays within 0.10 of the last year or so. It should be higher but till the NHL makes actual rule changes instead of tweaks, there's no reason for it to. And we know that they start swallowing whistles as the season goes along so it goes down anyways.

 

[JianYang]

We're about a half week in, and have already witnessed two 7-6 hockey games. The caps have also put up 7 in another game. Carolina has put up 8, and Calgary also has 7. Again, this half a week.

That's pretty crazy.

 

[Emperoreddy]

If you’re playing Ward you’re guaranteed at least 4. Sparks too actually.

Or the Rangers backup goalie for that matter.

 

[Sol]

Idk the stats, but scoring was much higher last year than years before. I think the trend is continuing from what I've seen and possibly continue to rise in goals per game. It's nice.

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

The standard "sample size" response.
Sample size.

 

[Tofveve]

Last year started good and then dropped off significantly if my memory serves.

 

[FinnishCoyote]

Yeah, we average 0.0 gpg

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Leafs are averaging 4.6 gpg. Likely wokt keep it up, but that a whole lot of goals.

Also averaging 4.6 against

 

[Bedards Dad]

Also averaging 4.6 against

4.3, I mathed wrong

 

[AvsFan29]

Well the leafs score a ton of goals! They also can't stop any and play professional pond hockey.

3gp 12 goals for 13 goals against.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Leafs are averaging 4.6 gpg. Likely wokt keep it up, but that a whole lot of goals.

They’re giving up a whole lot of goals as well.