Garbage goal is a colloquial term used in ice hockey to refer to a goal that takes little talent to score. Most such goals are scored from right in front of the net, often when the goaltender is out of position. Players who score many "garbage goals" are invariably benefactors of linemates who are good playmakers. A player who can make excellent passes makes it easy for scorers to put pucks in the net. Other garbage goals result from scrambles when the puck is loose in front of the net, or on easy rebounds. If there is any talent inherent in scoring garbage goals, it is in the ability to take physical punishment while maintaining hand-eye co-ordination to put the puck in.
Phil Esposito is one of the best known garbage goal scorers. His 76 goals in 1970-71 were in large part due to teammate Bobby Orr's playmaking skills. Dino Ciccarelli and Dave Andreychuk also had reputations as being specialists in front of the net, and despite being known for flashy plays, Wayne Gretzky routinely took credit for unskilled goals. A prime example of a current player who makes a living on this type of goal is Ryan Smyth.