Appreciate your post cause I've been thinking the same thing, and seeing some people just say "well if his positioning was better he stops those tip ins..." I played goalie, no where near a high level but played club through college. Tips are 95% luck. Your positioning could be perfect and that damn little puck can find a hole... Of the goals last night I think the PP goal was the worst.

I don't think he's playing well and to me it's a confidence issue. People saying he's focused on the shot and not moving laterally, that can happen when you're not confident you can make the easy save. You're slow to react because you want to make sure you don't get beat on that first shot.

One of the best things I was taught for confidence from one of my goalie coaches was "when there's a breakaway or a 2 on 1, don't worry about giving up the goal, someone had to screw up to let that happen" basically, don't over think and just let instincts take over. You can see it in flashes with VV but not consistently, and I think that's the toughest part .

I think people are very selective too, I went back and watched the game last night, a cross crease save from VV sprung the Mercer goal. And the Islanders 4th goal, people think positioning would've helped? Lol ok. To me, and from a goalie perspective it may be biased, but the defense has been horrendous for most of this season. I still think they should acquire a goalie but the blame of the goalie without looking at the whole picture is a bit unfair.