4NF top 10 edge stats MacKinnon Gustavsson Fox with bug

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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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.

5. High-danger goals

Canada forward Brayden Point (21; tied for first in NHL) has the most high-danger goals this season among 4 Nations Face-Off participants. United States forward Dylan Larkin and Sweden forward Rickard Rakell are tied for the second-most high-danger goals (17 each; tied for sixth) this season among 4 Nations Face-Off participants.

6. Midrange goals

Sweden forward Lucas Raymond is second in the NHL in midrange goals (13), while fellow countryman William Nylander and the United States' Kyle Connor (12 each; tied for third in League) are close behind in that category.

7. 90-plus mph shots and max shot speed

Sweden defenseman Victor Hedman leads 4 Nations Face-Off participants in 90-plus mile per hour shots (46), while fellow countryman Gustav Forsling leads tournament selections in max shot speed (100.81 mph). J.T. Miller of the United States leads 4 Nations Face-Off forwards in max shot speed (98.22 mph).

8. Total skating distance

The NHL’s top six players in total skating distance this season are set to participate in the 4 Nations Face-Off:

-Cale Makar (Canada): 217.78 miles
-Zach Werenski (U.S.): 217.61
-Nathan MacKinnon (Canada): 212.70
-Jack Hughes (U.S.): 211.42
-Travis Sanheim (Canada): 208.67
-Josh Morrissey (Canada): 199.97

9. Long-range goals and saves

Canada's Makar is tied for the NHL lead in long-range goals (eight). Sweden's Nylander and Finland forward Mikael Granlund are tied for second in the NHL at their position in long-range goals (three).

In terms of long-range saves, U.S. goalies Hellebuyck (306; leads NHL) and Oettinger (256; second) are tops in the League; their fellow countryman Jeremy Swayman and Sweden's Gustavsson (.996 long-range save percentage each; tied for first in NHL) have both allowed only one long-range goal.

10. Shot on goal locations

United States forward Brady Tkachuk has the most high-danger shots on goal (80; fourth in NHL) among 4 Nations Face-Off participants, followed by fellow countryman Jake Guentzel (74; sixth). MacKinnon (Canada) has the most midrange shots on goal (95) in the NHL, while Forsling (Sweden) has the most long-range shots on goal (100; leads NHL) among 4 Nations Face-Off participants.

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