It's comical hearing people actually blame the refs... Vilardi DID high stick someone and that dude was bleeding heavily. What do you think they should do there? Pionk DID clear the puck over the glass... It's a no brainer. The Jets choked.
Helle has been beat five hope from range in the last two games... Normally routine adjustments to make a controlled save are the norm for him but I'm seeing a lot of flopping, diving, double pad stacks... Things we never seen from him and it's now over 5 gaa. This is simply not elite goaltending at all, it's clear he's lacking the mental strength to withstand his play during the playoffs. This is pretty glaring scar on Hellebuyck, great regular season goalie. Terrible playoff goalie.
The Parise goal was just strange. Massive rebound right into the slot. And a terrified flop reaction from Helle... Normally we see him on his knees a minor adjustment and he's got the bottom and top of the net covered. Parise shoots it right at Helle, in all reality staying still and holding his ground gets him a save.
The nichushkin goal you see Helle look that direction where nichushkin has the puck on his stick. Helles head moves away from the post he needs to get to and attempts a double pack stack... Has he practiced that before? It looks like the first time he's attempted it based of the fish out of water result he got.
How about this... Play your game. If you get beat playing YOUR style then so be it. Attempting to be Hasek isn't the answer.
Some other glaring issues here... Iafallo looks extremely tired. Sit him for Kupari who has the wheels to skate with the Avs. Kupari is another guy you can match against Mack with his speed and defensive approach to the game. There is no need to play Iafallo when he's not able to keep up with the play at all
Next game bring in Miller, and Stan. Have Samberg sit, his hot and ready Pizzas are a killer.
We need our forwards to work 50% harder. Absolutely everyone needs to work harder to make this work.
And for god sakes Helle... Relax.
