The rub with Hellebuyck is he really does not perform well coming off rest. It seems to take him a couple of games to get back in a groove.
The problem with that, along with him apparently making the call as to when he plays, is that when they playoffs come around, he has very little left in the tank.
I think that's why we lost to Vegas in 18 (We might have had the cup). He just could not match Fleurys performance.
I don't even think it's physical. Being at that extreme level of focus with those expectations every second night through an entire season has to be mentally exhausting.
So, what do you do? I think you need a strong enough team defensively that you can play 37 55 or 60 games a season, abs still be able to win with your backup or helle not at his best.
I think we're in a better spot to do that this year both with Bro being back, and our stronger defensive forward core.
Question is, will the coaches step up and take the responsibility of managing his playing time? Will the team play well enough that we aren't in a dogfight for the wc for the last 3 months of the season?