Netminder NYT refers to a crossword clue or article usage in The New York Times, where “netminder” commonly means a goalie, especially in hockey, responsible for guarding the goal and stopping the opposing team from scoring.
A goalkeeper or a goalie, the player who defends the net in such games as either hockey or soccer is called netminder in the New York Times (which is frequently a crossword answer). It is a less popular synonym to goalie that is employed both in crossword and sports.
In the NYT crossword, “netminder” usually refers to a goalie. It’s a common term in hockey (and sometimes soccer) for the player who guards the goal or net. Crossword puzzles often use “netminder” as a synonym for goalie because it fits neatly into short grid spaces.