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=Advanced analytics in hockey=

Advanced analytics, or advanced stats, refer to the creation and accounting of statistical categories in sports, in order to create a deeper understanding of the actions and consequences that happen during the time which that game is played. Teams and organizations will track specific variables like time spent in the attacking zone, number of shots versus number of shots against their own team, or number of offensive or defensive zone starts in order to paint a clearer picture of the events on ice. These numbers can be compared against one another to gain even deeper knowledge of the game.

Analytics in the game of hockey are a relatively new field, as of the start of the 2014-2015 National Hockey League season, yet some experts say that by 2015 every team in the league will be employing advanced stats.

The big names of analytics in hockey
According to hockeyanlysis.com, there are over 80 quantifiable statistics kept track by advanced analytics research. Below is a list of the most recognizable names in statistical analysis.

A players or teams CORSI number, which reportedly takes its name from former National Hockey League goaltender Jim Corsi is the total number of shot attempts taken, including shots on goal, missed shots, and shots that have been blocked on their way to the net. The total is compared against the number from the opposing team in said game and can be converted to a percentage. For example, the red team totals 30 shots, while the Blue team totals 23 shots. The Red teams CORSI for the game would equal to + 7 (30-23=7), and when compared to total shots for the game, would equal to 57% (30/ 53 = 56.6).
 * CORSI

CORSI numbers can be compared with a large number of other factors throughout the game, in order to more accurately predict puck possession throughout games, and the season. Puck possession is thought to be one of the most important factors to the success of winning teams.

During the 2013-1024 NHL season, the player with the highest CORSI percentage was Boston Bruins centreman Patrice Bergeron. the veteran Bergeron led the league with a 0.612 CORSI for stat, while playing well over 1000 minutes during the season and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Fenwick numbers and percentages follow the same basic rules as for finding CORSI stats, with the exception being blocked shots. For example, the Red Team from the above example had 30 shots, minus 5 blocked shots, equaling 25 shots. The Blue team had 23 shots, minus 3 blocked shots, equaling 20 shots. The Fenwick number for the Red team would be +5 (25-20), and 56% (25/ 45).
 * Fenwick

Patrice Bergeron also held the highest Fenwick percentage during the 2013-2014 season, scoring a 0.608, followed closely by Los Angeles Kings two-way forward Anze Kopitar ,who finished the year at 0.603.

A team or players zone starts is an example of a comparative variable in advanced analytics. Totaling the number of starts in one of the three zones (offensive, defensive, neutral zone) is easy, but this number can be compared with any other stat, especially those two listed above, to surmise other characteristics such as offensive zone shots when in the offensive end, or total number of allowed goals when starting in the defensive zone.
 * Zone Starts

The team with the most offensive zone starts during the 2013-2014 season was the Chicago Blackhawks, who started 35% of faceoffs in the attacking zone. The team with the least amount of offensive zone draws were the Edmonton Oilers, starting 27.7% in the offensive end.

Team with the most defensive zone faceoffs were the Buffalo Sabres, starting 35.8% of draws in their own end during the 13-14 season, while the Chicago Blackhawks spent only 27.7% of the time taking draws in their own defensive zone.

Controversy
The use of advanced stats to determine the effectiveness and potential success of National Hockey League teams and players is still under debate. Los Angeles Kings star defenceman Drew Doughty has been quoted as saying, "that CORSI thing is a bunch of crap," during an interview. Toronto Maple Leaf Joffrey Lupul has also gone on record voicing his dislike of advanced stats on Twitter, stating, "contracts aren't awarded by this CORSI I am hearing about... Let's not look at this thing like Moneyball".