NHL: Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck back to Vezina Trophy form

Connor Hellebuyck Leads Winnipeg Jets to Victory with Shutout Against Colorado Avalanche

They call him ‘Vezina-Buyck’ in Winnipeg.

Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who won his second Vezina Trophy last season, showcased his skills once again by making 35 saves in his third shutout of the NHL season as the Jets defeated the visiting Colorado Avalanche 1-0 on Thursday.

Hellebuyck, known for his stellar performance in front of the net, earned his 40th career shutout in a thrilling game at Canada Life Centre, attended by 12,918 enthusiastic fans.

“Number 40 feels really good,” Hellebuyck expressed. “That’s one of those milestones. One more milestone to reach is the 300 wins mark, and I’m determined to achieve it this season. This one feels really special.”

This remarkable victory marked the first time Hellebuyck recorded back-to-back shutouts in the NHL, following a stellar 21-save performance in Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Utah.

The 31-year-old goaltender reminisced about his college days at the University of Massachusetts, where he believes he may have had consecutive shutouts.

“I had a good number of shutouts in college,” Hellebuyck recalled. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this. It’s been a perfect storm.”

Hellebuyck’s exceptional play on Thursday included making outstanding saves in the third period when Colorado dominated the shot count with 17-4.

“Once you are in a rhythm, everything just clicks, and you can anticipate the game better,” Hellebuyck explained. “The more shots you face, the sharper your focus becomes. That’s why I enjoy playing a lot. Once you find your rhythm, you can maintain it and focus on staying sharp between games.”

This game marked the first meeting between the two NHL teams since Colorado eliminated Winnipeg in the first round of last season’s playoffs with a 4-1 series victory.

Gabe Vilardi, who scored the lone goal of the game, acknowledged Hellebuyck’s pivotal role in securing the win, especially during moments when Colorado gained momentum.

“There’s no denying it wasn’t our best game,” Vilardi admitted. “(Hellebuyck) won that game for us. We have the best goalie in the world, but we can’t afford to play like that and expect to win many games.”

Jets coach Scott Arniel emphasized Hellebuyck’s standout performance, describing his crucial saves as frustrating for the opposing team.

“For him to come out and play the way he did, making some fantastic stops, it really frustrated them,” Arniel remarked. “We weren’t seeking revenge from last year’s playoff exit. It was simply another opponent in a busy November schedule.”

Despite Arniel’s perspective, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar believed that the Jets were indeed motivated by a desire for revenge following last season’s playoff defeat.

“It definitely felt like a playoff game,” Bednar noted. “There’s some history there, and I’m sure those guys were eager to make a statement after last year’s exit.”

Both Vilardi and Mark Scheifele, who assisted on the goal, extended their point streaks to six games, showcasing their offensive prowess on the ice.

Hellebuyck commended Vilardi’s early goal just 66 seconds into the game, highlighting the seamless teamwork between Scheifele and Vilardi.

“I believe it started in our end with a turnover,” Hellebuyck analyzed. “Mark’s vision is exceptional, and Gabe’s hands are remarkable, leading to a beautiful pass and finish.”

As the Jets celebrated a well-deserved victory, they also honored massage therapist Al Pritchard, a cancer survivor, who marked his 1,000th game with the team. Additionally, Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar saw their impressive 13-game point streaks come to an end.

This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on Nov. 7, 2024