10 NHL Records You Won't Believe

Plus-minus is a statistic used to measure a player’s impact on the game by measuring the difference between their team's total scoring versus their opponent's when the player is in the game. In hockey, when a player is on the ice when their team scores their total is increased: a “plus”. Alternatively, if they are on the ice when the opposition scores their total is decreased: a “minus.” Power play, penalty shot, and empty net goals do not count towards plus-minus totals.

While the statistic is not very useful for a single game, it tends to provide a more meaningful measure over a full season. Plus-minus is directly affected by overall team performance, influenced by both the offensive and defensive effectiveness of the team as a whole. Therefore, a player’s plus-minus is not only a measure of their individual performance, but it is also a reflection of their line-mates as well as the entire team.

During the 1970-71 season, the legendary Bobby Orr was playing for the powerhouse Boston Bruins. A defenseman, Orr finished second in league scoring that year. In fact, he set the standing NHL record for the most points scored by a defenseman in one season. As if one record wasn’t enough, Orr finished the season with a ludicrous +129 plus-minus. Only one other player in NHL history has surpassed the +100 mark in one season, Larry Robinson, putting Bobby Orr firmly in the record books.