Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck appears way more relaxed after his staff narrowly averted elimination in Sport 7 in opposition to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.
“I positively felt a little bit one thing there,” Hellebuyck stated Tuesday, through Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg News. “At this level, the strain has type 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 additional time, critics could have blamed Hellebuyck.
The goalie struggled all through Winnipeg’s first-round collection in opposition to St. Louis. He was pulled thrice 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 gained two Vezina trophies and has posted a strong .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 chance to finish his postseason woes.
“We’re in some new territory that we have not been in in a short time,” Hellebuyck stated 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 obtained by it, and transferring ahead right here, I am actually excited to place my finest foot ahead and do my job.”
Hellebuyck’s job could not get any simpler in opposition to Dallas. Stars left winger Jason Robertson — who led the staff in targets (35 in 82 video games) throughout the common season — is predicted to return from a lower-body damage within the collection.
Nonetheless, Hellebuyck had a postseason-high 26 saves in Sport 7. Maybe he’ll preserve gaining momentum when the Jets host the Stars in Sport 1 on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
