In the Stanley Cup playoffs, rotating goalies is a rare sight as coaches traditionally stick to one starter, but this season could see a shift towards a true goalie rotation strategy.

By the Numbers
  • 25 consecutive games saw Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman rotate for the Boston Bruins.
  • Carolina Hurricanes have not started the same goalie in consecutive games in their last 25, alternating between Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov.
Yes, But

No coach has yet dared to try a planned goalie rotation in the playoffs due to the inherent risks and challenges associated with such a strategy.

State of Play
  • Teams have used multiple goalies in playoff runs due to injuries, not planned rotations, with recent Stanley Cup champions also showcasing this trend.
  • Coaches emphasize the need for team buy-in and specific circumstances to successfully implement a goalie rotation strategy in the playoffs.
What's Next

As the playoffs progress, the decision-making on goalie rotations will be a key point of interest to see if any coach takes the bold step of predetermining a rotation for postseason success.

Bottom Line

While rotating goalies in the playoffs presents challenges, the potential benefits of maintaining fresh goaltenders and strategic advantages may pave the way for a shift in traditional playoff goalie deployment strategies.