Expected NHL goal totals for all games combined are calculated daily using the past performance of each team. Since many teams exhibit telling home and road tendencies, the calculation takes into account which teams are at home and which are on the road on a given day. The calculated total is only deemed meaningful when it differs significantly (higher or lower) from the published Salami number, as an indicator whether to go over or under this number.

 

Refinements are always being tested for influence. One such area involves who is refereeing each game, since it would seem reasonable that games involving referees who tend to call more penalties would involve more power plays, and hence more goals. It is hoped that this refinement will be included in 2007-2008 numbers.

 

Since the number is based on team past performances within a given season, the calculated number is not considered meaningful until a sufficient number of games have been played. It is anticipated that a meaningful sample will involve 20 games or more, so no numbers will be posted in '07-'08 until each team has played at least 20 games.