The National Hockey League stats sheet can be confusing for new fans. Some codes are obvious—most fans can guess what a "G" or an "A" indicates. But "SPCT" is probably a mystery to those who are new to the game. Statistics such as a goalie's save percentage or goals-against average can also be confusing. These and other abbreviations are all explained below.

Forwards and Defensemen

Forwards and defensemen—that is, all of the players who are not goaltenders—have their own set of statistics and acronyms. Even the specific positions they play are denoted by a one- or two-letter acronym:

POS: Player position. The positions are C (center), LW (left wing), RW (right wing), D (defense), and G (goaltender).

Player position. The positions are (center), (left wing), (right wing), (defense), and (goaltender). NO: Player jersey number

Player jersey number GP: Games played

Games played G: Goals. A goal is awarded to the last player on the scoring team to touch the puck prior to the puck entering the net.

Goals. A goal is awarded to the last player on the scoring team to touch the puck prior to the puck entering the net. A: Assists. An assist is awarded to the player or players (maximum of two) who touch the puck prior to the goal, provided no defender plays or possesses the puck in between.

Assists. An assist is awarded to the player or players (maximum of two) who touch the puck prior to the goal, provided no defender plays or possesses the puck in between. P or PTS: Points; the sum total of goals and assists

Points; the sum total of goals and assists +/-: Plus or minus

Plus or minus PIM: Penalty infraction minutes

Penalty infraction minutes PP: Power play goals

Power play goals SH: Short-handed goals

Short-handed goals GW: Game-winning goals. After the final score has been determined, the goal that leaves the winning team one goal ahead of its opponent is the game-winning goal.

Game-winning goals. After the final score has been determined, the goal that leaves the winning team one goal ahead of its opponent is the game-winning goal. S: Shots on goal. If a player shoots the puck with the intention of scoring and if that shot would have gone in the net had the goaltender not stopped it, the shot is recorded as a shot on goal.

Shots on goal. If a player shoots the puck with the intention of scoring and if that shot would have gone in the net had the goaltender not stopped it, the shot is recorded as a shot on goal. PCT or SPCT: Shooting percentage. This is calculated by dividing the number of goals a player has scored by the number of shots they have taken.

Shooting percentage. This is calculated by dividing the number of goals a player has scored by the number of shots they have taken. ESP: Points scored at even strength

Points scored at even strength SHP: Points scored while short-handed

Points scored while short-handed PPP: Points scored on the power play

Points scored on the power play HmP: Points scored on home ice

Points scored on home ice RdP: Points scored on the road

Points scored on the road DvP: Points scored against teams within a division

Points scored against teams within a division ODvP: Points scored against teams outside a division

Points scored against teams outside a division P/G: Average points scored per game

Average points scored per game SHFT: Average number of shifts per game

Average number of shifts per game ATOI: Average time on ice per game

Average time on ice per game FW: Faceoffs won

Faceoffs won FL: Faceoffs lost

Faceoffs lost FWP or FWPCT: Percentage of faceoffs won

Goaltenders

Goaltenders have their own set of abbreviations and statistics. Here are the ones most commonly used to evaluate a goalie's performance: