The New Jersey Devils were so worried about their “expected win probability” that they refused to let Connor Hellebuyck play against his former team in Winnipeg.
HOW’D THAT WORK OUT FOR YA?
The Jets beat them 4-2, and New Jersey managed FOUR shots on goal in the entire third period. Four. Apparently, their expected win probability forgot to account for actually playing hockey.
You have a three-time Vezina winner who WANTED to face his old team, and your front office decides it’s too risky. What a cowardly move. All that overthinking just to get embarrassed anyway.
And the cherry on top? Dawson Mercer, the guy New Jersey traded to GET Hellebuyck, scored twice against them, including the game-winner. You couldn’t script that any better.
I’m also glad Winnipeg fans still got their chance to let Hellebuyck have it. Booing him during warmups, chanting “COWARD” and “WHERE IS CONNOR?” during the game. Beautiful stuff.
The Devils tried to hide behind a spreadsheet and still got their asses kicked. Maybe next time calculate the expected probability of having some balls.
