NHL Defense vs Position

Defense vs position shows what a defense has allowed to opposing centers, left wings, right wings and defensemen. Each average is the total for the entire opposing position group per team game, rather than an average for one player.

We total the recorded stats for each opposing position in each game, then average those totals over the selected window. Each defense is compared with teams that have complete data for that position and stat. Positions use current player listings. Goalies are excluded from skater position rankings.

Rank #1 means the fewest of the selected stat; the highest rank means the most. The comparison count can vary with data coverage. Red indicates fewer recorded and green indicates more, which is context for that prop's Over. Blocked shots describe shots blocked by opposing skaters, rather than goals or shots allowed by the defense.

Start with the opponent's stats for the player's position, then check the player's role, workload, recent results and posted line. Open a player to research the matching prop. A favorable rank is historical context, not a projection or a pick.

Rankings use recorded games from the displayed NHL season. The matchup list follows today's Eastern-time slate. On days without a new slate, the page retains the latest available slate, date and season statistics. Player context is retained for past matchups. Any stored line is labeled Past line; otherwise, recorded participants appear without an invented line. If neither is available, players from the team's latest recorded game appear as Recent lineup; their participation in the displayed matchup is unconfirmed.

Missing position or game data stays unavailable instead of being counted as zero. Rankings require complete position and stat coverage for at least 80% of the comparison teams. Recorded game counts and ties remain available alongside each rank.