Dallas Stars: How Early is Too Early to Pull the Goalie?

With 7:48 left in the game against the Senators, Dallas Stars head coach Jim Montgomery decided to pull Ben Bishop for the empty net.

The Dallas Stars were down 3-1 at that point, but there was still a lot of time left on the clock, leaving fans wondering if it was a good idea or not.

It was a move very reminiscent of Patrick Roy in his tenure as the coach of the Avalanche. Maybe there’s just something in the water in Denver, considering that’s where Montgomery was as well with the University of Denver.

In the end, it didn’t work out for the Stars on the scoresheet. The Senators got an empty-net goal and won the game 4-1.

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However, just because the Stars didn’t actually get a goal out of it, it doesn’t mean it was a bad idea.

The eventual empty-net goal came with 1:37 left in the game. Most coaches would have an empty net at that point anyways, so that’s not too bad. It’s not like Bishop came out of the net and the Senators immediately scored. The Stars held it off for quite a while.

While Bishop was pulled, the Stars had some decent pressure, but they still couldn’t do anything to score. Of course, that’s concerning in its own way, but the early goaltender pull wasn’t the problem.

The reality at this point is that the majority of the forwards on this team can’t find the back of the net. Even with significant time with an extra attacker, no one could score. That’s the much bigger issue at hand right now for the Stars.

As crazy as it seemed to pull Bishop that early, Montgomery had a plan. It may not have resulted in a goal, but there were better chances than if he hadn’t done it, and at some point, that will pay off. However, that goes the other way as well, as their opponents are obviously going to get some bounces going their way, too.

Pulling the goaltender earlier has started happening more than before, and there are numbers that back up that line of thinking. There are even models from 2016 that suggest pulling the goaltender with 3:00 left in the game when down by one.

If pulling the goaltender with 3 minutes to go and down by one is ideal, then 8 minutes while down by 2 is still aggressive, but not outside the realm of reason.

As is normally the case, Montgomery also made sure to pull him strategically, having him start on the bench for offensive zone faceoffs but putting him back for defensive draws. He didn’t come out and stay out through the rest of the game no matter what.

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So, for the question of how early is too early, it certainly depends on the score. It looks like 7:48 isn’t necessarily too early, but I have a feeling Montgomery will keep testing that theory throughout the season. Hopefully he doesn’t have the opportunity very often, though. It’s better if the Stars just stay in the lead instead.

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