Stats are an important tool to help eliminate bias in eye test.
Sample size is key for sure.
Also context ... stat selection.
What kind of player is it? If it's a fourth line player don't compare xGF% because they don't generate much xGF60 in their role. But how do they compare in xGA60 against their teammates knowing they have a sheltered role? How do they look against other fourth liners?
With the right context a stat isn't wrong. It's just important or not important.
Can you use one game sample sizes? Of course you can. If player x was on the ice for 8 HD chances against and no other player was on the ice for more than 2 it was likely a bad game.
The nature of the stat doesn't pin it on the single player though. So that's why longer data sets make more sense. If he's on the ice for more HD against over 40 games than any other player? Probably an issue.
We should try and think these things through, and hopefully land on something more constructive than "the stats are BS, I'll trust my eye test thanks!"
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