of the New Jersey Devils against the Buffalo Sabres at the Prudential Center on April 11, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. Chris McGrath While casual fans probably don’t really bat an eye at the league’s ...

Dallas Stars’ Steve Ott (29) competes against Minnesota Wild goalie Jose Theodore, right, for a loose puck behind the net in the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 11, 2011, in Dallas.

Has there been anything so loathed in hockey as the trapezoid indicating the only place where a goaltender is legally allowed to play the puck behind the net? Earlier this summer, the QMJHL among its ...

The trapezoid rule prevents goaltenders from fishing for pucks in the corners, below the goal line. This allows a better flow of offense, and limits the goalie’s ability to enter open ice with the ...