Pulling the goalie earlier in the game seems to be a growing trend in both the NHL and the AHL. There are still a good amount of coaches who are extremely conservative when it comes to pulling the netminder, but we’re seeing more of them each year begin to take a more aggressive approach.
The more aggressive side includes Flyers’ head coach Dave Hakstol, who on multiple occasions pulled the goaltender with over five minutes remaining in the game, and once with 7:20 left on the clock when the Flyers were down by three and about to go on a power play.