Garbage-time filter
NHL Garbage-Time Points 2026-27: Who Pads Stats in Blowouts
Data updated:
Too early in 2026-27 for these tables. See last season's garbage-time points.
Methodology
For every goal we look at the score just before it went in. A goal or assist counts as garbage time when the scorer's team was already up by 3 or more, or down by 3 or more. The goal that makes it 3–0 is not garbage time; the one that makes it 4–0 is. Shootout goals are excluded.
League-wide in 2025-26, 2,634 of 21,741 skater points (12.1%) came in garbage time.
A skater's garbage-time share does not carry over from one season to the next. Among 226 skaters with 30+ points in both 2024-25 and 2025-26, the correlation was r = 0.03, which is essentially zero. A high share is not a skill or a role: it's a sign that the point total is partly score-driven and should be regressed toward the close-game rate. The "Expected share" column does that, shrinking toward the league rate with 60 points of prior.
Usage by score state for tonight's games: game-script forecast.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as garbage time in hockey?
Here, any goal or assist scored when the player’s team was already leading or trailing by 3 or more goals before the goal. The goal that makes it 3–0 is not garbage time; the next one is.
How many NHL points come in garbage time?
In 2025-26, 12.1% of all skater points (2,634 of 21,741).
Is scoring in garbage time a skill?
Not one that repeats. A player’s garbage-time share in 2024-25 told us almost nothing about 2025-26 (r = 0.03, 226 skaters with 30+ points in both). Treat a high share as inflated production, and lean on the close-game points per game.
How should I use this in fantasy hockey?
Before you buy a hot scorer, check how much of the run came in blowouts. Close-game points per game is the steadier number. Players on bad teams often pile up "down 3" points late in lost games.