Goals saved above expected (GSAx): NHL team rankings
All situations · 2025-26 regular season · GSAx
Expected goals against minus goals allowed by the team's goalies. Positive means they stopped more than expected.
In 2025-26, the Washington Capitals rank 1st in GSAx (all situations) at +31.1, the best mark in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators sit 32nd at −30.3. The league average is +2.1.
All 32 teams by GSAx
Highest first. Each team links to GSAx on its own stats page.
| Rk | Team | Gap to league average | GSAx |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Washington CapitalsWSH | +31.1 | |
| 2 |  Colorado AvalancheCOL | +27.5 | |
| 3 |  New York IslandersNYI | +27.4 | |
| 4 |  Boston BruinsBOS | +18.6 | |
| 5 |  Calgary FlamesCGY | +18.6 | |
| 6 |  Montreal CanadiensMTL | +18.4 | |
| 7 |  New York RangersNYR | +18.4 | |
| 8 |  Buffalo SabresBUF | +17.5 | |
| 9 |  Minnesota WildMIN | +16.1 | |
| 10 |  Dallas StarsDAL | +8.3 | |
| 11 |  Seattle KrakenSEA | +8.1 | |
| 12 |  Nashville PredatorsNSH | +8.0 | |
| 13 |  Tampa Bay LightningTBL | +6.5 | |
| 14 |  Detroit Red WingsDET | +6.4 | |
| 15 |  Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ | +6.3 | |
| 16 |  Chicago BlackhawksCHI | +5.3 | |
| 17 |  Pittsburgh PenguinsPIT | +4.2 | |
| 18 |  Toronto Maple LeafsTOR | +1.3 | |
| 19 |  Utah MammothUTA | +1.0 | |
| 20 |  Carolina HurricanesCAR | −1.6 | |
| 21 |  New Jersey DevilsNJD | −3.1 | |
| 22 |  Los Angeles KingsLAK | −4.0 | |
| 23 |  Winnipeg JetsWPG | −5.6 | |
| 24 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHI | −7.6 | |
| 25 |  St. Louis BluesSTL | −10.3 | |
| 26 |  Edmonton OilersEDM | −11.1 | |
| 27 |  Anaheim DucksANA | −18.1 | |
| 28 |  San Jose SharksSJS | −18.6 | |
| 29 |  Vancouver CanucksVAN | −20.0 | |
| 30 |  Florida PanthersFLA | −23.6 | |
| 31 |  Vegas Golden KnightsVGK | −26.4 | |
| 32 |  Ottawa SenatorsOTT | −30.3 |
- Above league average
- Below
Top goalies: Goals saved above expected
Goalie save % by shot class →Expected goals against minus goals allowed (our xG model). 2025-26 regular season, qualified goalies only. Each name links to the stat on his player page.
How we calculate team GSAx
We add our xG for every unblocked attempt the team's goalies faced (no empty-net goals, penalty shots or shootout) and subtract the goals they allowed.
Why it matters for fantasy hockey
GSAx strips out team defence, so it shows which goalies are actually stopping pucks. A high-GSAx goalie on a weak team is still a fine start against weak offences.
How to read it
Zero is average. +15 over a season is excellent team goaltending; −15 is costing the team several wins.
Limitations
Goalie performance is noisy: one season of GSAx carries a lot of luck. Our xG does not see screens or pre-shot movement.
Go deeper
More goalies stats
- High-danger save % (HDSV%)Save percentage on high-danger shots on goal, team goalies combined (NHL Edge shot classes).
- Rebound controlRebounds prevented per 100 saves compared with what the shots faced would produce on average.
- Starter workloadShare of the team's games started by its most-used goalie.
FAQ
- Which NHL team ranks first in GSAx in 2025-26?
- The Washington Capitals rank 1st with the highest GSAx in the NHL, +31.1. The top three: Washington Capitals (+31.1), Colorado Avalanche (+27.5), New York Islanders (+27.4).
- What is GSAx in hockey?
- Goals saved above expected: the expected goals a goalie faced minus the goals he allowed. It credits goalies who face hard shots.
- Is GSAx better than save percentage?
- Yes, for comparing goalies on different teams, because it adjusts for the quality of shots faced.
Ranks are among the 32 current teams; 1st is the highest value. Regular season only, updated through the latest processed games.