NHL.com’s Kevin Woodley spoke with several NHL goaltenders, including Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot, about managing “moments of chaos” in the crease:
Cam Talbot works daily to improve his vision using a specialized computer program and glasses, but the Detroit Red Wings goalie knows a big part of life in an NHL crease is surviving the chaotic moments when seeing the puck feels impossible.
In those moments of mayhem, with players from each team piling up around the crease and sticks whacking at wherever the puck has ended up behind that mix of flailing limbs and fallen bodies, time can slow down for the goalie. But not in a good way.
“In real time, it’s only one or two seconds but it feels like a lifetime until you can find that puck,” Talbot said. “When those scrambles are happening in front and you don’t know where it is, or you’ve located it but can’t get to it, you’re just kind of a sitting duck.”
It’s worse when the initial shot that creates chaos doesn’t make it all the way to the goalie. At least a goalie knows where a rebound is headed when the puck hits him, even if traffic in front prevents him from seeing it. When a shot hits a leg or stick in front, a goalie may have no idea where the puck will bounce next, and because they’re typically already down in a butterfly, the options to find a sightline are limited.
“You’re just seeing butts and knees,” said Colorado Avalanche starter Mackenzie Blackwood.
