Always Hug Your Goalie: Why Empty Net Puts the Devils at a Disadvantage
Pulling the goalie in the NHL has always been a high-risk, high-reward strategy, but more often than not, it results in a gift of a free goal. In recent years, the trend has grown—coaches are opting to pull goaltenders more frequently and much earlier in the third period in hopes of sparking a comeback. For the New Jersey Devils, however, this tactic causes more harm. As they head into Game Three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Devils need to rethink their reliance on the empty-net gamble if they want to make an impact on the scoreboard.
During the regular season, the Devils had lost 15 games after coach Sheldon Keefe called for the empty net. Though the team was already trailing in those games, statistics consistently show that a team is more likely to be scored on than to score with the extra attacker. The effectiveness of the empty net strategy also relies on context. Pulling the goalie with a two-goal deficit and three minutes on the clock is much different than doing so down by one with less than a minute left.
As the Hurricanes continue to prove victorious in the first round of the playoffs, Keefe will need to be more calculated with his risk-taking. In Game One, Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom was pulled with over two minutes remaining in the game, a move that backfired and sealed a 4-1 loss. Had he stayed in net, there might have been a chance to push for the equalizer instead of allowing another goal. Ironically, Markstrom had been the Devils’ strongest asset in Game One, saving an impressive 41 shots.
In Game Two on Tuesday, the Hurricanes extended their lead with a 3-1 win, capping it off with an empty-net goal by Seth Jarvis with just 36 seconds remaining. Markstrom had been pulled with about a minute left in the period, a decision that jeopardized the Devils’ chance to even the playoff score. With the Devils only down by one, there was still time to create a scoring chance, just as Jarvis did moments later. Markstrom, who posted 1.26 saves above expected in the game, should have been kept in net to avoid a more deflating finish for both the team and fans.
So far in the playoffs, the empty-net strategy hasn’t done the Devils any favors. A loss is still a loss, but giving up an empty-net goal only adds salt to the wound. As they head into Game Three, it might be worth sticking with Markstrom in net and giving the team a fighting chance. Reevaluating their late-game approach could be the key to keeping their playoff hopes high.
