Save percentage (often known by such symbols as SV%, SVS%, SVP, PCT) is a statistic in many sports that track saves as a statistic.
In ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops. It is calculated by dividing the number of saves by the total number of shots on goal.
Although the statistic is called "save percentage", it is given as a decimal (in the same way as an on-base percentage in baseball). Thus, .933 means a goaltender saved 93.3 percent of all shots he or she faced. National Hockey League goaltenders typically have a save percentage above .900, and National Lacrosse League goaltenders typically have a save percentage above .750.
Save percentage applies in an analogous way to goalkeepers in football (soccer).
Save percentage in baseball applies to relief pitchers, particularly closers. This is the quotient of the number of successful saves and the number of save opportunities.
Famous quotes containing the words save and/or percentage:
“If in madness of delusion, anyone shall lift his parricidal hand against this blessed union ... the arms of thousands will be raised to save it, and the curse of millions will fall upon the head which may have plotted its destruction.”
—Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)
“There is a potential 4-6 percentage point net gain for the President [George Bush] by replacing Dan Quayle on the ticket with someone of neutral stature.”
—Mary Matalin, U.S. Republican political advisor, author, and James Carville b. 1946, U.S. Democratic political advisor, author. All’s Fair: Love, War, and Running for President, p. 205, Random House (1994)