Record number of NHL goalies means increased opportunity for many
- Michael Houser became the 102nd NHL goalie to appear in a game in 2021-22, setting a single-season record with 43 saves in a 3-1 Sabres win.
- COVID-19 protocol absences and a spike in injuries have stretched goalie depth charts at every level, creating unprecedented callup opportunities.
- Charlie Lindgren capitalized on his opportunity with a league-best .958 save percentage and a 5-0-0 record filling in for Jordan Binnington in December.
- Jack LaFontaine made his NHL debut as goalie No. 100 just days after leaving his NCAA career at the University of Minnesota.
- Backup and emergency goalies entering games in 2021-22 treated every appearance as an audition, knowing a strong performance could earn a roster spot.
Michael Houser set an NHL record when he made his season debut with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, but the way things are going this season it’s not likely to last long.
Houser became the 102nd different goalie to at least get into a game this season when he made 43 saves in a 3-1 win against the Ottawa Senators, continuing to build on a single season record that was set the previous Thursday when Tuukka Rask started his first game of the season for the Boston Bruins. Rask was the 99th goalie to play in 2021-22, eclipsing the record of 98 set last season, and we haven’t even reached the halfway point of the NHL season yet.
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