Connor Hellebuyck, the star goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets, is no stranger to facing down pucks. As a four-time Vezina Trophy finalist and the winner of the 2020 award, he’s proven his skill in the net. But nothing could prepare him for the storm of offense he faced from the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference First Round. Colorado’s 6-3 victory on Tuesday night put an end to Winnipeg’s playoff hopes, knocking them out in just five games.
Hellebuyck’s regular season stats were stellar. He had 37 wins, a 2.39 goals-against average (for players with a minimum of 30 games), and a league-leading .921 save percentage. But in the playoffs, those numbers flipped on their heads. He ended the series with a 1-4 record, a 5.23 GAA, and a .870 save percentage. He allowed at least four goals in each game against the Avalanche.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Hellebuyck said on Thursday, trying to process what went wrong. “I felt like I was playing the best hockey of my career. I was in the zone, just reacting, not overthinking. But I couldn’t keep four goals off the board, and that’s just crushing.”
His confidence took a hit in Game 4, when he was pulled after the second period, having allowed four goals on 30 shots. “I was laser-focused that day,” he explained. “I woke up ready to steal the game, but after getting pulled, it was like all the emotions I’d kept in check just burst out. I realized I couldn’t do it alone. I had to be part of the team, not carry everything on my shoulders.”
Rick Bowness, the Jets’ head coach, noticed the pressure Hellebuyck was putting on himself. “He’s trying to make a difference in every game,” Bowness said. “But sometimes the onus has to be on the players. We can’t rely on him to keep us in every game. It’s a team effort.”
Winnipeg had set an NHL record during the regular season by allowing three goals or fewer in 34 consecutive games. That solid defense was nowhere to be found against Colorado, leaving the team stunned and Hellebuyck reeling.
Kevin Cheveldayoff, the Jets’ general manager, admitted that the playoffs are a different beast. “It shows that you have to be prepared to adapt in the postseason,” he said. “The Avalanche is a talented team, well-coached and well-managed. It’s a disservice to say it was all about us.”
The Jets know that they need to reflect and regroup. While they had a strong regular season, it wasn’t enough when it mattered most. Hellebuyck’s journey to find balance—between being the backbone of the team and embracing a team-first mindset—might be just the first step in the Jets’ road to recovery.
