OK-- 5 on 5, all players on the ice when a goal is scored for their team get a plus-1. All players on the ice for the team that got scored ON get a minus-1.

It gets more complicated in power plays, overtime, shootouts, penalty-shot goals, etc.

The stats pile up and become part of the player's "value" at contract time. It's a way, for example, of rewarding the defense guy who may not score or assist, himself, but contributes toi a winning team.

~S~