Edmonton Oilers

Why Goaltending Isn’t Plug-and-Play in the NHL

Goalie struggles aren’t always the goalie. Sometimes it’s the slow, unseen work of building chemistry. How does this work?

by
Old Prof
January 29, 2026

In hockey, we talk about chemistry between forwards all the time — the way linemates seem to feel each other’s movements, anticipate passes, and finish each other’s sentences on the ice. But there’s another pairing that’s just as important and just as subtle: the relationship between a goalie and the defencemen playing in front of him. How they communicate on the ice is key to their team’s success.

It sounds obvious — they share the same zone, after all — but the reality is that goalie–defence chemistry isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s not like plugging a new forward into a top six and poof, suddenly things gel. A goalie and his defence need time to understand each other’s game, instincts, and reads — and until they do, performance can look inconsistent even if both players are talented.

To understand why, let’s break down the core pieces of what each side has to figure out about the other.

Things to Work Out #1: Reading Rebounds and Shot Lanes Together

Modern NHL defence is about limiting the net access and shutting down scoring chances — and goalies are part of that system too. Goalies don’t just block shots; they have to anticipate where loose pucks go, work with defencemen to share responsibility for areas of the net, and decide when to fight for rebounds versus smothering the puck. It’s something coaches talk about a lot: goalies and defence must work in concert to limit high-danger chances, and that only comes from playing enough games together so everyone knows their half of the net.

Things to Work Out #2: Goalie Puck-Handling and Defence Expectations

These days, goalies aren’t just sitting ducks in the crease. They’re expected to play the puck, make outlet passes, and help their defencemen escape pressure. Goalies handle the puck in different ways. Some are aggressive, others conservative, and defencemen have to learn what to expect when they leave the net to play the puck. A defenceman who expects a quick outlet might get caught off guard if his goalie always flirts with the puck in the corner, and vice versa.

Mike Smith Edmonton Oilers — Mike Smith of the Edmonton Oilers was adept at moving the puck

Things to Work Out #3: Defensive Coverage and Communication

You’d be surprised how much talking goes on behind the pads. Defencemen always check in with the goalie, trying to read his wants: push up, fall back, clog the lane, or clear it? It’s small stuff, but after dozens of games, it becomes second nature.

Things to Work Out #4: Understanding Each Other’s Pace and Style

Today’s goalies aren’t just stopping pucks—they’re constantly reading the game, timing their moves. D-men need to know their style: does he set up early or adjust on the fly? Does he need defenders to block more shots? Can he handle chaos in front, or does he need organized coverage? When a defenceman learns how his goalie wants plays sorted, he stops trying to do too much and focuses on helping the goalie succeed.

Things to Work Out 5: Handling Mistakes Together

This one doesn’t show up on a stat sheet, but it’s huge. Some goalies bounce back immediately after a bad goal; others let it carry over mentally. Defencemen pick up on that fast. If a goalie wants reassurance from coverage after a tough goal, defenders will step up. If he wants silence and reset, they’ll give space. That’s emotional and psychological chemistry — and you only learn it by weathering the bad nights as much as the good ones.

Why This Communication Matters for NHL Teams

So, how long does it take to get there? Realistically, you’re talking 30–50 games together before a goalie and a defence really click. That’s why teams that trade for goalies mid-season often don’t see immediate improvement — the goalie isn’t just adjusting to new teammates; he’s adjusting to a new defensive language, expectations, and habits. Without that sync, even a technically excellent goalie can look shaky.

Andrei Vasilevskiy Tampa Bay — Andrei Vasilevskiy and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning have been playing together for more than a decade.

Analytics back this up in their own way. Attempts to link individual defencemen to team save percentage directly are shaky, precisely because goalies and defenders influence each other in ways that don’t show up in simple stats.

At the end of the day, it’s why teams that build from within often have more stable goaltending: everyone learned the nuances together over time. And it’s also why fans should be patient. Goalies don’t just step into a system — they grow into it.