The Boston Bruins have the best goaltending tandem in the NHL this season, with Linus Ullmark a deserving favourite for the Vezina Trophy and Jeremy Swayman the league’s only goalie with a (slightly) better adjusted save percentage then his partner since mid-December.

So, it probably goes without saying that InGoal Magazine was excited to spend a couple days with the Bruins goalies this week — and that was before witnessing Ullmark become just the eighth goalie to score a goal against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday! Along with Boston goalie coach Bob Essensa, the duo did not disappoint, sharing insights into the evolution of their games this season and their thoughts on this down-low patience drill after practice.

It starts with Essensa near the top of the face-off circle and a forward positioned just outside the corner of the crease. Essensa sets his gloves up at the hashmarks and there are more forwards positioning between the top of the face-off circles. As Essensa passes down to the forward beside the crease, those high forwards start cutting to the net, choosing one of three lanes (between or on either side of the gloves). The player who catches that initial pass can either try to score himself, staying above the goal line, or pass it to the streaking forward.

Let’s take a look at one set of reps with Ullmark to start with:

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Comments

Let's talk goaltending!

We welcome your contribution to the comments on this and all articles at InGoal. We ask that you keep it positive and appropriate for all - this is a community of goaltenders and we're here for each other! See our comment policy for more information.