The NHL instituted a small but important rule change this season when it comes to goalie equipment, with leg pads reduced in size to help give scoring a boost.
A look at how leg pads have evolved in the NHL:
1930s: Pads become thicker and wider than cricket pads that were first used.
1940s: Addition of padding along the outside edges of the pads, the “skip-over roll”.
1950s: Skip-over roll is extended to the top of the knee.
1980s: Foam box pads start to become a popular alternative to leather pads.
1989-90: Pad width is increased from 10 inches to 12.
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1990s: Advancements in synthetic leather give goalies a lighter option.
2000s: Development of hybrid box pads that have the flexibility of leather models.
2003-04: Pad length is limited to 38 inches.
2005-06: Pad width is reduced from 12 inches to 11.
2010-11: Pads can’t reach higher on a goalie’s leg than 55 percent of the distance between the center of his knee and his pelvis.
2013-14: Previous rule is amended to 45 percent -- for example, the average upper-leg measurement for an NHL goalie is 20 inches; that means the leg pad can’t go higher than 9 inches above the knee. This gives the shooter a bigger target when aiming five-hole.
