I used to have season tickets at AWA that looked right down the hallway to the Coyotes locker room (from across the ice). A couple minutes before the periods would start, Mara would go stand in the hallway. When everyone else came out he would tap gloves (or pat on the back, I can't remember for sure) with everyone as they left the lockerroom. After everyone else came out, he came out.
Probably just superstition. Goalies aren't the only ones that have a pre-game or in game routine.