Can Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck get back to MVP-like form in second round?
The Winnipeg Jets survived and advanced out of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, needing an Adam Lowry goal in double overtime after a ferocious comeback in Game 7 to eliminate the St. Louis Blues.
Now, the President’s Trophy winners are blessed with facing a Dallas Stars team that also had to go through a seven-game series, but arguably have a deeper roster than the Jets. On top of that, Hart Trophy finalist Connor Hellebuyck was shaky against the Blues, to say the least. In the seven games, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner posted a 3.85 goals-against average and a .830 save percentage. He gave up at least five goals in all three road contests, getting pulled in Games 3 and 4 in St. Louis.
On Monday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli explained the troubles of Hellebuyck in the first round and whether winning a do-or-die game will boost his confidence.
Frank Seravalli: Three of the seven games that [Hellebuyck] played, he was in the 7’s in save percentage – .760, .722, .783. He had a .814 save percentage for the series heading into Game 7. Then, he gives up those two early. If you’re Scott Arneal, you have to be on the bench thinking, “I’m going to have to pull the Hart Trophy finalist for this season in this Game 7.” There is certainly something very impressive about the way that he knuckled down in the third period and both overtimes.
He was very good. He looked confident. He had all the body language that we would normally expect from maybe one of the most confident players that we’ve ever seen, but there’s no doubt that he was rattled and there’s no doubt that I could sit here today analyzing the series…and just think that, “Oh, hey, no problem because he played well in the last three periods of the game that therefore Connor Hellebuyck has wiped the slate clean and there are no more issues because they got out of the first round.” I just don’t think that’s how it works.
You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…