The pressure is on for Jets’ Connor Hellebucyk to perform in the playoffs
The Winnipeg Jets became the second team in the NHL to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now, the narrative turns to how far they can go.
While the team has some strong scoring threats—Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Nikolaj Ehlers—the Jets’ success will rely on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s performance.
Sure, Hellebuyck is well on his way to another Vezina Trophy, and is unquestionably one of the best goaltenders of this generation. However, his performance in recent postseasons has resulted in many being concerned about what the Michigan native will do once the playoffs start.
It was less than a year ago when the Jets entered the first round of the playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche, and were ousted quickly, much thanks to lackluster play from Hellebuyck.
On Wednesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the importance of Hellebuyck’s performance in these coming playoffs.
Frank Seravalli: . I was at almost every one of those 17 games in 2018, and if you had told me then that this Jets team…with Hellebuyck and the success that he had in net and the belief that he had in himself, that we’d be staring at these last two springs, I’d be shocked. I mean, this is a guy that is one of the ultimate competitors in the league.
4-Nations was a really good reminder that in clutch pressure situations that he can still be the guy. I mean, he was magnificent in that tournament for the U.S. … So, he obviously has the capability and the talent to do it. When you talk about the success of the Jets in the playoffs, it doesn’t necessarily hinge on Hellebuyck. It hinges on their ability to defend. It was an absolute track meet against the Colorado Avalanche last year in round one, and that’s not conducive to how the Winnipeg Jets want to win. So, if they can find a way to fix and sure up the play in their own end and in transition, they’re going to be way better off.
You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…