Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck appears rather more relaxed after his group narrowly averted elimination in Sport 7 in opposition to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.
“I undoubtedly felt a bit of one thing there,” Hellebuyck mentioned 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 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 sport within the postseason.
In 10 seasons with the Jets, the 31-year-old has gained two Vezina trophies and has posted a stable .918 save share. He had the league’s second-highest save share 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 share. 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 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 received by it, and shifting ahead right here, I am actually excited to place my finest 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 group 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 hold gaining momentum when the Jets host the Stars in Sport 1 on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
