[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Exactly. Essentially, you have 4 variations of the same type of stat:

1) +/-, which tracks goal differential while a player is on the ice
2) shot differential, self explanantory
3) Fenwick, which tracks (shots + missed shots) differential, and
4) Corsi, which tracks (shots + missed shots + blocked shots) differential

Of those, +/- is the most important, IMO, because it focuses on goals, which - accurate or not - at least focuses on the most important events of the game. But Corsi, which is the most inclusive, and thereby the most convoluted, is considered somehow to be some insightful breakthrough. When in reality, it is simply a more inclusive +/-.

The issue with +/- is that it is only based on goals and goals are a rare occurrence. A goal scored right when you step on the ice has a dramatic effect on your +/- where as 1 shot attempt against does not. Corsi takes the sudden and unexpected goal because someone made a bad change away from judging your play.