Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck appears way more relaxed after his workforce narrowly averted elimination in Sport 7 in opposition to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.
“I undoubtedly felt slightly one thing there,” Hellebuyck mentioned Tuesday, through Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg News. “At this level, the stress has form of fallen off. The load of the world is off my shoulders.”
Had the Jets not pulled off an improbable 4-3 comeback in opposition to the Blues in double time beyond regulation, critics might have blamed Hellebuyck.
The goalie struggled all through Winnipeg’s first-round collection in opposition to St. Louis. He was pulled 3 times and allowed 26 goals in seven video games, strengthening the narrative that he’s a regular-season performer who cannot elevate his recreation within the postseason.
In 10 seasons with the Jets, the 31-year-old has received two Vezina trophies and has posted a stable .918 save proportion. He had the league’s second-highest save proportion in 63 regular-season video games throughout the 2024-25 season (.925).
Over his previous three postseasons, although, his numbers have cratered. Throughout this span, he has posted a subpar .860 save proportion. Of their first-round exit in opposition to the Colorado Avalanche final season, he allowed 24 targets in 5 video games.
Hellebuyck views Winnipeg’s second-round collection in opposition to the Dallas Stars as a possibility to finish his postseason woes.
“We’re in some new territory that we have not been in in a short while,” Hellebuyck mentioned of the Jets making their first second-round look since 2021, through McIntyre. “I am actually excited it is a restart for me. Who cares about what simply occurred? We acquired by it, and shifting ahead right here, I am actually excited to place my greatest foot ahead and do my job.”
Hellebuyck’s job might not get any simpler in opposition to Dallas. Stars left winger Jason Robertson — who led the workforce in targets (35 in 82 video games) throughout the common season — is predicted to return from a lower-body damage within the collection.
Nevertheless, Hellebuyck had a postseason-high 26 saves in Sport 7. Maybe he’ll maintain gaining momentum when the Jets host the Stars in Sport 1 on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
