I have to strongly agree with Jet here, and I think usually Helle would have had those first 2 shots he let in. He hasn't yet proven to be a big playoff performer, and we need him to step up, and have a .920 save percentage. Right now, as you say, we're not getting a Vezina type Helle, and if he can't step it up, I think we lose this series. I believe this happened with Helle against Vegas in the last playoffs, where Mark Andre Fleury outgoalied him by quite a margin.It was absolutely a penalty but framing it as undisciplined isn't fair. He was defending in a dangerous spot and sometimes, your stick inadvertently trips up another player. If he crosschecked him or went knee on knee I'd agree.
As for the whole Ehlers Morrissey debate, there is exactly one player for the Jets that's irreplaceable and that's Hellebuyck.
37 has to be much better if we are going to win this series - full stop.
Before people @ me about Helle, I said before the playoffs started that is we were to be successful in the playoffs, we need Vezina level Hellebuyck. We're not getting that.
He's allowed 5 goals in the last 2 games and is .894. Game one he was hardly challenged.
He's not the whole reason we're down 2-1 but it's hard to imagine we wouldn't have won yesterday if he didn't let the first 2 shots in.
Mark my words - if we get .920 Hellebuyck back we win the series, regardless of whether Morrissey is it or Ehlers comes back.
It's so crazy. Pionk struggled mightily in the first couple of games but as soon as he was 'the guy' he became a little beast and became the defences leader. He and Lowry were amazing.
Thinking of Capobiancos mental fortitude, I can see him seizing this opportunity and playing extremely well. I hope we get him instead of Stanley
I too would like to see Capo in, as I like his shot from the point, and he can score, and is OK defensively. I think he's a lot quicker than Stanley, and that's where Capo beats him, as Logan is not really fleet of foot and gets caught. I'm all for Capo in. If we needed toughness and were playing the Wild, I may put Stanley in, if I were Coach. Either is OK, but personally I much prefer Capo.
In an ideal world, if we could get a .920 Helle, and have Ehlers in for the next game, and Capo replace Morrissey, I like our chances.