The NHL’s emergency backup goalie rule has left teams scrambling after a recent incident where a player was forced to step in when no goalie was available. The league’s "Emergency Backup Goalie" (EBUG) policy, introduced to prevent games from being canceled due to injuries, now faces criticism over its unclear implementation. With no official replacement system in place, teams must rely on creative solutions—sometimes even calling up players from lower leagues—to fill the void. The situation raises questions about how the league can better prepare for such scenarios in the future.

Who backs up the emergency backup goalie? Explaining the NHL’s EBUG replacement situation  The New York Times