Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
I think it is as simple as this: he plays deeper in his crease in the playoffs. He is always deep - as deep as any goalie in the league. But come playoffs, he retreats more. And IMO you need to do the opposite in the playoffs - with less time and space, goalies should be challenging the shooters MORE, not backing up.
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I believe it was Kevin Woodley who was on Fan960 talking about Hellebuyck about how Hellebuyck is one of the best goalies in the NHL at anticipating the plays and reading plays.
But if there is an area where he's just "average" it's screened shots, deflections, and tips and IIRC in the regular season the Jets were one of the best teams in the league at eliminating those types of chances but the Blues are feasting on that come playoff time.
Just like both Vegas and Colorado did.
I think the increased traffic and chaos, combined with him playing deeper, and with teams being able to game plan specifically to create those types of chances, leads to what happens with him in the playoffs.