Does the +/- (or GAA) stat mean more in the playoffs, than the regular season?

Question

or is it just another stat that makes it difficult to make any direct assumptions from? (like in the regular season)

Answer 1

I think stats in general mean more in the regular season than in the playoffs.  Regular season GAA and +/- may wow some in the regular season, but who really remembers them once the playoffs are over.  The telling sign in the playoffs is wins.

Answer 2

As a whole..baring a blow out during a series..the team with the best GAA will win the Cup.

Answer 3

I think it does because in the season those stats are inflated by playing bad teams (13th, 14th and 15th in conference). That help's the +/- especially. In the playoffs when most games are 1 goal games it means a lot. To be on the ice for the overtime goal in a 3-2 loss is way more disappointing then being minus 4 in a 7-4 win.

Answer 4

That's a loaded question, because there are two valids ways to look at it.  Because fewer games are played in the playoffs, one bad game can skew the statistics more than in the regular season.  On the other hand, since the games mean more, that bad game has a larger impact on the team.  So, statistically it means less, but in the grand scheme of things it means more.

If I HAD to choose an answer - more.