This season, no National Hockey League goaltender has played as many games as Connor Hellebuyck. Far from showing the slightest sign of fatigue, he has made the last 13 starts for the Winnipeg Jets.
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At his 64e campaign duel, the 29-year-old American blocked 33 pucks in a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, ensuring the Jets’ presence in the playoffs on Tuesday night.
“I believe this match should earn him the [trophée] Vézina, said forward Mark Scheifele in the scrum. This game he played, the way he plays for us; he is our most important player. We wouldn’t be here without him. He was awesome.”
Hellebuyck, who won the Vezina in 2019, has made 64 appearances in 2022-23.
The last game where he was not between the posts was the March 14 game against the Carolina Hurricanes. David Rittich was then in net for this loss of 5 to 3.
“I was always prepared and ready whenever my name was called. We managed my workload well between parties. It feels good, ”said the main interested party about this qualification.
The strength of the locker room
If the Jets were able to find the playoff schedule after being excluded for the first time in five years last season, it is mainly thanks to the strength of the players, believes Hellebuyck.
“I believe we know in this locker room what it takes and what we have. I am very excited after this meeting, it is difficult to pull myself together at the moment, he admitted with joy. I’m so excited and just can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
As the second team drafted in the Western Conference, the Manitoba team can expect quite a challenge in the first round. With seven wins in their last 10 meetings, the Jets do not expect to make up the playoffs.
“I have to give credit to the guys in the locker room. We have been fighting hard lately to get back into the playoff picture, Scheifele explained. Obviously, we would have liked to stay at the top, but it happens. Everything happens for a reason, and we just have to trust the plan.”
Winnipeg will wrap up the regular schedule Thursday with a game against the Colorado Avalanche, their possible first-round opponent.