Reading xG

Expected goals: how many goals a set of shots would usually score.

Every unblocked shot gets a chance of going in, from where it was taken, the kind of shot and what happened just before it (a rebound, a quick pass across). Add those chances up and you have expected goals, or xG.

A wrist shot from the slot might be worth 0.15 xG. A point shot through traffic, closer to 0.03. Five shots from the point can add up to less than one good look in front.

Finishing is goals less xG. Above zero, he scored more than his chances usually would. Over a few weeks that is mostly luck and tends to drift back toward zero; over a few seasons it says more about the shooter.

For a team, xG for and against shows who creates and allows the better chances. Over a short run it holds up better than goals do.

Where you'll see it: Player Game Log, Team Game Log, Player Shot Map