NHL Goalies

Home » NHL Goalies

“I’m not dumb enough to be a goalie” Brett Hull, 5th on the NHL all-time goal list

Our guide to the most fascinating position in hockey: The Goalie!

The hardest position to play

Without question goalie is the hardest position to play in hockey.

It takes many more years of development for a goalie to make the NHL than a forward or defensemen.

Why is this?

Not only do they have to stop 100 mph pucks being shot at their heads, but they have to learn to read plays ie. think and see the game at an extremely high-level.

Get the full-breakdown in our article on the hardest position in hockey.

Top 6 NHL goalies by wins

1. Martin Brodeur: The Unsurpassed Legend

Wins: 691
Teams: New Jersey Devils (main team), St. Louis Blues
Career Span: 1991-2015

2 Marc-André Fleury: The Golden Flower

Wins: 556
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild
Career Span: 2003-Present

3. Patrick Roy: Butterfly Style Innovator

Wins: 551
Teams: Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche
Career Span: 1984-2003

4. Roberto Luongo: The Reliable Workhorse

Wins: 489
Teams: New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks
Career Span: 1999-2019

5. Ed Belfour: The Eagle

Wins: 484
Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers
Career Span: 1988-2007

6. Henrik Lundqvist: The King of New York

Wins: 459
Teams: New York Rangers
Career Span: 2005-2020

Rules around the goalie

Can you hit the goalie? Definitely, not (old time hockey he was fair game, but not now.
Where can the goalie play the puck? Anywhere, but the corners of the rink or past the red line.
Can you be in the goalie crease? Yes, as long as you are not interfering with the goalie.
Can a goalie get a penalty? Yes, but it will be served by someone else.

Top 50 goalie terms

Get everything from A to Z

Reading Goalie Stats

Save Percentage, GAA, and more

What is the trapezoid?

Those lines behind the crease

How does a goalie get an NHL win?

One of the most popular articles ever around here was thanks to David Ayers.

Who was David Ayers you ask?

He was the Zamboni Driving backup who got put in as an Emergency Backup against his hometown Maple Leafs.

Both Carolina Hurricane goalies got hurt during the game, and Ayers went in and finished the game that the Canes won.

Naturally, everyone was wondering if he got the win for the Hurricanes during that game.

If you are in when the Game Winning Goal is scored you will get the win but here are all the nuances.

What is a good save percentage?

How much above .900%?

Why do goalies scrap the ice?

It's not just a pregame ritual

Can a goalie be a captain?

Who gets a letter on the jersey