from Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic,

After executing the lateral release, a goalie can drop into the butterfly — trail pad down first, followed by the lead pad — and shutter the five-hole. He can glove the puck or punch it out with the blocker. If a cross-ice threat materializes, a goalie is in better position to react, perhaps with a desperation slide or dive....

“What was happening a few years ago with the gear getting smaller and smaller, sliding around and trying to be big wasn’t an option anymore,” said U.S. National Team Development Program goaltending coach Thomas Speer. “So we started implementing the lateral release. It’s the concept of holding your edges and staying on your feet as long as you can. We tell the guys that if you’re late and you slide, it’s because you have to. The only time you should be sliding is if you’re late, and you’re sliding as hard as you can to seal the space as fast as you can.”

In Speer’s opinion, Jake Allen of the Blues, Braden Holtby of the Capitals, and Frederik Andersen of the Maple Leafs are among the NHL goalies who best employ the lateral release.

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