Winning with “Boring” Stats: Shots, Blocks, Hits & Ice Time
Goals are flashy, but they’re not always reliable. If you want a steady weekly floor, focus on what players do every game: shoot, block, hit, and play big minutes. This approach smooths variance and keeps you competitive even when puck luck goes cold.
1) Why peripherals matter (even in points leagues)
Many scoring systems reward actions beyond goals and assists. Even when a player doesn’t score, they can still produce:
- Shots (high-volume shooters create repeatable output)
- Blocks (defensemen with defensive roles are consistent)
- Hits (role-based, predictable, often undervalued)
- Ice time (minutes = chances for everything)
2) The “role-first” way to evaluate players
Instead of chasing points from last week, start with role:
- Top-line minutes = more offensive chances
- PP usage = higher-value touches
- Defensive deployment = blocks, tough minutes, stable floor
- Coaching trust = consistent shifts, late-game usage
Roles stay stable longer than short scoring streaks.
3) How to build a “floor core” roster
A simple roster structure that works in most formats:
- 2–3 shot-volume forwards (stable output)
- 1 PP quarterback defenseman (ceiling)
- 1–2 block-heavy defensemen (floor)
- 1 streamer spot for schedule and matchups
4) Streaming peripherals: the weekly cheat code
If your league allows adds, streaming is where you gain edges. Look for:
- Defensemen with high blocks against strong shooting teams
- Forwards with high shots in weeks with 4 games
- Physical wingers against rivals (hits spike in these games)
Peripherals streamers are safer than goal-dependent streamers because their output is less random.
5) Ice time is the hidden stat that predicts everything
When you’re unsure between two players, take the one with better minutes. Ice time increases:
- shot attempts
- power-play chances
- late-game usage (empty-net points, defensive blocks)
6) Common mistakes to avoid
- Chasing last game’s points instead of weekly role and minutes
- Ignoring defensemen who quietly win blocks/ice-time output
- Overpaying for streaks that don’t come with volume shots
7) A quick weekly checklist
- Which teams play the most games this week?
- Who has stable minutes and special teams usage?
- Where can I stream one extra player for shots/blocks/hits?
- Do I need floor (protect lead) or ceiling (catch up)?
To tailor this approach to your league format, see Points System and How to Play.