Tag: PDO

What Does PDO Mean in Hockey?

What Does PDO Mean in Hockey?

What does PDO mean in hockey analytics, and how is this metric used to identify variance and short-term results in team performance?

Editor: Coach Mark • Updated: December 12, 2025

Short Answer

PDO is a hockey analytics metric that combines shooting percentage and save percentage to help identify luck, variance and short-term fluctuations in results.

Full Explanation

PDO is calculated by adding a team’s shooting percentage and save percentage while a player or line is on the ice. Because both shooting and save percentages tend to regress toward league averages over time, extreme PDO values are often temporary.

A high PDO can indicate a hot streak, favorable bounces or strong short-term goaltending performance. Conversely, a low PDO may suggest poor puck luck rather than poor play, especially if underlying possession and chance-quality metrics remain strong.

PDO is not designed to measure talent or long-term ability. Instead, it acts as a contextual tool that helps analysts understand whether current results align with the quality of play.

For accurate evaluation, PDO should always be used alongside other metrics such as Corsi, expected goals (xG) and high-danger scoring chances.

How PDO Should Be Interpreted

Because PDO is heavily influenced by randomness, it is most useful over medium to large sample sizes. Extreme values often normalize as the season progresses.

Key Takeaways

  • PDO combines shooting percentage and save percentage.
  • It is commonly used to identify variance or short-term luck.
  • Extreme PDO values usually regress toward the league average.
  • PDO should never be used as a standalone evaluation tool.