NHL backup goalies have two primary responsibilities while sitting on the bench. They must recognize line changes and open the door for teammates coming off the ice. And they must keep a keen eye on the puck in play — particularly when it becomes a threat to hit them in the head.
Big-league backup goalies aren’t required to don their helmets from the bench. But what happened in the first minute of play in Edmonton on Friday is an example of why the NHL might want to follow the amateur leagues and require helmets for every player on the bench.