NHL Playoff Disappointment Analysis
As we navigate through the conference finals of the NHL playoffs, fans are celebrating the standout performances of their favorite players after an intense month of competitive hockey. Yet, for a significant fraction of the hockey community, this is also an opportunity to reflect on the letdowns and underwhelming performances from star athletes—welcome to the playoff disappointment analysis.
2023 All-Bust Roster
This year, we’re curating a roster of 21 players, comprising 12 forwards, six defensemen, and three goalies. The team will include a coach and a general manager for added scrutiny, and we’ll adhere to a few guidelines: each NHL team must have at least one representative, but no more than three players can come from any single franchise, including those still in the hunt for the Cup.
Goaltenders
Let’s begin with the goaltenders, and no conversation starts without mentioning Connor Hellebuyck. Despite his reputation as a potential Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck’s past struggles in the playoffs resurfaced this year, culminating in a disappointing .866 save percentage. While he helped the Jets advance past the first round, his rocky performances, especially on the road, raise doubts about his reliability going forward.
Interestingly, Andrei Vasilevskiy, another Vezina contender, also fell short of expectations. Despite strong regular-season statistics, Vasilevskiy managed a dismal .872 save percentage in the playoffs, continuous underperformance that has become a trend over the last three postseasons, resulting in early playoff exits for the Lightning.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights’ decision to stick with their 2023 championship goalie throughout their playoff series proved problematic. Although his presence was there, a save percentage of .887 was not sufficient against the Oilers, culminating in a series-ending shutout.
Defensemen
On the blue line, we have various defensemen who also fell flat. The 35-year-old veteran player, who once contended for the Norris Trophy, struggled significantly, netting just an assist while leading the league in expected goals against. His aggregate performance resulted in a troubling -7 rating amid heavy play from top-tier teams.
Despite returning from injury, Ryan Ellis’ re-entry into postseason play was limited, accumulating only two secondary assists. His inability to help propel his team was a major factor in their early exit.
Forwards
As we consider forwards, Auston Matthews didn’t make the impact expected of a franchise player, only managing three goals in 13 playoff games. His well-known struggles in high-pressure situations continued to haunt him, reflecting a need for greater production in crucial moments.
Nikita Kucherov also experienced a disappointing playoff showing, producing minimal offensive contributions with only four assists to his name; his performances fell starkly in contrast to his history of postseason scoring prowess.
In a surprising turn, Brady Tkachuk stumbled through the playoffs, limiting his contributions despite a point-per-game average—a stat that belies his struggles with only four goals, one of which came in his last thirteen games.
Veteran Jamie Benn’s return to the playoffs was marked by underwhelming stats; he managed only one goal and three points, leading many to wonder whether this was a last hurrah with Dallas. Meanwhile, fellow players like Martin Necas, with five points to his name, still faced elevated scrutiny, particularly in light of the performance of his trade counterpart who excelled in the series.
The Senators relied on their best players, but Dillon Dube’s silent performance—just two points in his playoff debut—left a lot to be desired in their series.
Conclusion
Bringing the conversation full circle, it’s essential to recognize that the pain of early exits during playoffs often results in a spotlight on those who fail to deliver. Whether it’s repeated underperformance or missed opportunities, this all-bust team serves as a reminder that high expectations don’t always translate into on-ice success during the postseason turmoil of the NHL.
