Goalies seem to pop out of the net with startling regularity, often moving fully behind the net to drop the puck back there before returning to the front. It seems nerve-wracking every time— how can they risk being so far out of position with the offense closing in fast?
Obviously they only do this when they have the puck themselves, but it seems like they could easily be knocked away from it while they’re leaving the net empty and vulnerable.
Please explain why they do this!
In: Other
Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet, but in addition to line changes and preventing possession by the opposition, a goaltender stopping the puck from ringing around the boards can be a defensive maneuver for his/her *defenseman*. Particularly in the playoffs — but at any time, really — a goaltender who darts out behind their net to intercept a dump-in is protecting his defenseman from having to chase down the puck, whereby they may be exposed to a forechecker who might otherwise plaster them to the wall.
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