NHL.com’s fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we identify the 10 most compelling advanced metrics surrounding the 4 Nations Face-Off, a best-on-best tournament from Feb. 12-20.
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RELATED: 4 Nations Face-Off fantasy rankings | Picks/props
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1. Speed bursts
Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in 20-plus mile per hour speed bursts (408), while his teammate Connor McDavid has the second most (312).
Of the top seven defensemen in 20-plus mph speed bursts, six are set to participate in the 4 Nations Face-Off, including each of the top five: Canada’s Cale Makar (139; first), Colton Parayko (113; fourth), Travis Sanheim (93; seventh), the United States’ Jake Sanderson (124; second), Zach Werenski (121; third) and Sweden’s Erik Karlsson (106; fifth). Additionally, Jaccob Slavin of the United States has reached the highest max skating speed among 4 Nations Face-Off defensemen (24.19 mph).
2. Offensive zone time percentage
Finland forward Sebastian Aho has the highest offensive zone time percentage at even strength (48.6 percent; tied for second in NHL) among 4 Nations Face-Off participants. Joining Aho among the top five at the position in this category is Canada’s McDavid (47.2; tied for fourth).
In addition, three of the NHL top 10 in offensive zone time percentage at all strengths among defensemen are set to compete in the tournament: the United States’ Adam Fox (47.0; tied for sixth), Canada's Shea Theodore (46.7; eigth) and Sweden's Mattias Ekholm (46.5; 10th).
3. Games with >.900 save percentage and midrange saves
United States goalie Connor Hellebuyck leads the NHL in games with greater than a .900 save percentage (32) while fellow countryman Jake Oettinger is tied for fourth in that category (24). Hellebuyck (74.4 percent; first) and Sweden’s Filip Gustavsson (67.6; third) are among the best in the NHL in highest percentage of such games. Each also ranks among the NHL's top five in mid-range saves; Gustavsson is third (296), while Hellebuyck is fifth (285).
4. High-danger save percentage and saves
Canada goalie Sam Montembeault leads the NHL and 4 Nations Face-Off goalies in high-danger saves (264), ahead of Finland goalie Juuse Saros (254; third). Hellebuyck (U.S.) leads 4 Nations Face-Off goalies in high-danger save percentage (.840; tied for fourth in NHL), while Sweden's Linus Ullmark (.830; ninth) is also among the best in that category.