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N.H.L. Goalies Need Their Alone Time, er, Stretching Routines

Cam Talbot’s locker sits next to Henrik Lundqvist’s and, as an unspoken sign of courtesy between the Rangers goalies, Talbot leaves the room before a game to give Lundqvist space to stretch.

Talbot and Lundqvist have been teammates for about two years, and Talbot has never watched Lundqvist’s routine. He is unaware that Lundqvist often retreats to a back room, where it is quieter, roomier and free from distractions.

And that is just the start of it. Lundqvist also stretches when he first takes the ice and then again during TV timeouts. He stretches before, during and after practice.