I believe the balancing point is to allow the goalie to play the puck (area playable is debatable) but it really should be first come first serve.
If it's along the boards and the goalie beat the player to it, have the respect and not go for free a hit.
Goalies aren't fair game for hitting as I posted earlier.
If it's a breakaway race, goalies have the chance to gamble and race for the puck.
Goalie either gets it first or get humiliated as the player goes around and shoots into an empty net.
Once again, first come first serve.
Not a free opportunity to lay out the goalie if he reaches the puck first.
For those that feel the article is TL;DR
Why Can’t You Hit the Goalie? | is this your homework?
-Goalie gear are only protected from one side, the front
-Weak shoulder pads
-Almost no protection in the back
-No rib protection
-Bulky front heavy gear, making goalies off balance and fall and land in dangerous positions.
-masks are attached loosely for puck impact absorbtion, not bodycheck collision
I'm not familiar with Football gear.
Do quarterbacks wear similar equipment as the others, but lighter versions, or are they just typically smaller, more agile, athletes
(which is why they are more prone to injury)?