Pavelec isn't answer to Jets' goaltending woes
The Winnipeg Jets rolled the dice when they recalled veteran netminder Ondrej Pavelec from the AHL earlier this month.
The reasoning made sense. Young netminders Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson have struggled this season, and with playoff hopes quickly slipping away in Winnipeg, the team turned back to a familiar face.
Except the reunion is quickly reminding Jets faithful why Pavelec was in the minors in the first place. Through four games back in Winnipeg, here is how he stacks up against the others manning Winnipeg's crease:
| Goalie | Record | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pavelec | 2-2-0 | 3.29 | .894 |
| Hellebuyck | 16-13-1 | 2.82 | .907 |
| Hutchinson | 4-10-3 | 3.23 | .894 |
That's not the sort of strong goaltending the Jets had in mind. In one week back with the big club, Pavelec has allowed at least three goals in all four contests, including Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Following the defeat, the Jets now hold a 22-25-4 record through 51 games. While the team is just three points back of the West's final playoff spot, that will be a difficult gap to make up if the team can't fix its play between the pipes either with Pavelec or by looking for a goaltending option currently outside the organization.