New regulations introduced by the Elite Backup Goaltending (EBUG) program are aimed at easing the physical demands on primary netminders by limiting the number of games backup goalies can appear in during a season. The changes focus on ensuring that starting goalies are not overworked, particularly in back-to-back contests, while still maintaining competitive depth on teams. Under the updated guidelines, backup goalies will now be restricted in how frequently they can be called upon, potentially altering traditional roster strategies. The adjustments reflect a growing emphasis on player health and workload management across the league.

Unmasked: New EBUG rules helping regular goalies with load management  NHL.com