Devils give baffling excuse for Connor Hellebuyck not playing in return to Winnipeg on Tuesday

An incredible sequence of words to write down, given the situation and the circumstances. Especially since it lacks all logic for a team and general manager that have been extremely logical over the past few months. 

It is not like the Devils are playing a back-to-back situation on Tuesday, having both Monday and Wednesday off. When you add in the fact that Hellebuyck is one of the best goalies of this era, and is now 5-0-0 since joining the Devils, there is just no logical way to argue that not playing him improves their win probability. 

It is not sensible. It is not logical. It is one of the most baffling things a professional sports team has said in recent memory. 

The most likely scenario: The Devils just do not want the game to become a circus, and feel that by removing Hellebuyck from the equation, there will be more focus on the game. 

That is not likely to work. Now there is only more focus and more attention on his return. Hellebuyck also said he will address the reason for asking out of Winnipeg before Tuesday's game. He might not be playing, but the circus is still going to be in town. The Devils and Hellebuyck made sure of that.