In terms of Quality Starts, Hellebuyck's had a grand total of 2 in his last 13 playoff games over the last 3 years (1 vs. Vegas in 2023, and Game 2 of this series vs. the Blues). Small samples, shit happens, etc., but still..."Hey, he's no worse than Skinner and Ullmark" is cold comfort.
I'm not sure what it is with him. He played well under the pressure at Four Nations, and he performed well in the playoffs once upon a time, but it's becoming a recurring problem with him. Small sample size, yes, but at some point he's got to overcome this.
Lets just say those that are in charge of optimizing evidence-based outcomes are living in the 1960's with respect to the available technology.
I just don't get the NHL sometimes.
Bettman is probably getting his cameras from Temu.
Do you ascribe to the belief that he just gets worn down by the time the playoffs come around? I don't necessarily, but curious on your thoughts.
I didn't see the game last night but think I get the gist of it
Without Ehlers and Vilardi, we really only have one scoring line and Pionk without Samberg is not the same defender. We are going to have to grind this series out till we get some or all of our depth back.
For me, it's now not about Helle or Scheif or even Stanley, but about Arniel. He has gotten them through adversity all year long and now he has to make the necessary system and motivational adjustments to what St Louis has thrown at us. Bowness was not able to do that effectively last year against Colorado and that was part of our undoing.
I'm more confident this year that Arniel and Co will adapt and we will take this series.
I didn't see the game last night but think I get the gist of it
Without Ehlers and Vilardi, we really only have one scoring line and Pionk without Samberg is not the same defender. We are going to have to grind this series out till we get some or all of our depth back.
For me, it's now not about Helle or Scheif or even Stanley, but about Arniel. He has gotten them through adversity all year long and now he has to make the necessary system and motivational adjustments to what St Louis has thrown at us. Bowness was not able to do that effectively last year against Colorado and that was part of our undoing.
I'm more confident this year that Arniel and Co will adapt and we will take this series.
No. Demelo didn't play in this one and, imo, his absence and how the coaches handled the d-pairing (Schenn and Stanley, c'mon) contributed mightily to the poor performance.
That to me is a confidence issue, might be overthinking things.
I think that's a bit of a meme. In my mind it's the most improved part of his game, and it's a HUGE way to reduce wear and tear on your D and evade forcechecks.
I guess your choosing to ignore building a perennial playoff team, president's Trophy winner, Avs all the masterful deals he's pulled off? Not to mention doing it all while retaining a lot of talent in the smallest least desirable market in the league?
I would LOVE my post to age like week old fish left on the kitchen counter, but maybe Helle’s just one of those “great in the regular season, but can’t find the extra level in the playoffs” guys. At some point, you want your starting goalie to stand on his head/steal a series (insert cliche here). I really hope Helle shows us that he CAN overcome his playoff hoodoo.
