Game management is important down the stretch for NHL’s top goaltenders

Mar 27, 2025, 17:00 EDT

Credit: Dec 28, 2024; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) tries for a glove save in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

With just a few weeks left in the 2024-25 NHL regular season, some teams are close to clinching, or have already clinched, spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After earning a berth into the postseason, and with some teams having little to play for, coaches start to rest players in order to make sure they are as close to 100 percent as possible. While that might work for some, it might not be as beneficial for others, especially between the pipes.

Sure, today’s masked protectors don’t play nearly as much as the netminders of yesteryear, but in today’s game, rest is vital for the last line of defense to be at their peak. There are several netminders who have logged a lot of minutes this season, including Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrew Vasilevskiy and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. Vasilevskiy has started 56 games so far, while Hellebuyck has appeared in 55 this season.

On Thursday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, former NHL netminder Carter Hutton joined Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk to explain what the right area of game management is for playoff-bound goaltenders.

Carter Hutton: When you look at Connor Hellebuyck, he has some experience. He’s been to the playoffs … I think communication is key here. This is a veteran guy. He knows his body. He’s so in-tune with himself. With that being said, I also think there’s that communication between goalie coach Wade Flaherty and [Hellebuyck] to know where he needs to be and what he wants. At times, I think you need to take it out of his hands … At the end of the day, without Connor Hellebuyck being at his best, they don’t stand a chance in that Central Division.

With all these other goalies, it’s very similar. Jake Oettinger has experience. For Mackenzie Blackwood, it’s going to be different. With him and [Scott] Wedgewood, you kind of have two guys you can bounce off each other. This being said … there’s no catching up once you’re fatigued. Come playoff time, there’s no rest. You have to play. You have to be the guy. That being said, matchups aside and trying to win a President’s Trophy, make sure your guys are rested and peaking at the right time.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here: