Jets goalie Hellebuyck expects to bounce back in Game 5: ‘I am going to be better'
Winnipeg Jets' Dylan Samberg (54) and Connor Hellebuyck (37) defend the net against St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Connor Hamilton)
St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) celebrates a goal on on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) on a shot by Jimmy Snuggerud, not shown, during the first period of an NHL playoff game in Winnipeg, Monday April 21, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against a St. Louis Blues shot during the third period of Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monday April 21, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against a St. Louis Blues shot during the third period of Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monday April 21, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck (37) and Vladislav Namestnikov (7) defend the net against St. Louis Blues' Jake Neighbours (63) during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Connor Hamilton)
Winnipeg Jets' Dylan Samberg (54) and Connor Hellebuyck (37) defend the net against St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Connor Hamilton)
St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) celebrates a goal on on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) on a shot by Jimmy Snuggerud, not shown, during the first period of an NHL playoff game in Winnipeg, Monday April 21, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against a St. Louis Blues shot during the third period of Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monday April 21, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck says there is no crack in his confidence after the Winnipeg Jets goalie was pulled during his team's last two playoff losses.
Hellebuyck, who was announced Monday as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, told reporters his mindset is good heading into Wednesday's Game 5 at home against St. Louis.
Advertisement
The Blues tied the Western Conference best-of-seven opening-round series 2-2 after thumping the Jets 5-1 on Sunday and 7-2 Thursday in St. Louis.
'You don't love giving up that many goals, but we're 2-2 in the series. That's all that matters. Win the next one,' Hellebuyck said after he and most of his teammates didn't take part in Monday's optional skate.
'Am I going to be better? I am going to be better. I've studied goaltending extremely hard. I've probably studied the most out of anyone in this world, so I know what to do and how to get my best game. So that's what I'm looking forward to do.'
Backup Eric Comrie replaced Hellebuyck in the third period of the past two losses and gave up one goal in Thursday's match.
Advertisement
Hellebuyck is up for the NHL's top goalie award with Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 31-year-old from Commerce, Michigan, is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and also claimed the honor in 2020. He was a finalist in 2018 and 2023.
Hellebuyck posted career bests in wins (47), shutouts (eight), goals-against average (2.00) and save percentage (.925) to help Winnipeg finish the regular season with the league's best record and gain home-ice advantage by capturing the Presidents' Trophy.
'It would be crazy to go that many regular-season games and then all of a sudden switch something up in the playoffs,' Hellebuyck said. 'You don't win 47 games and then come the playoffs switch everything up. I know how it needs to look. I like a lot of things. I'm not going to go and make huge changes.'
Advertisement
Hellebuyck won a second consecutive William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender (minimum of 25 games played) on the team allowing the fewest regular-season goals.
He said he's mentally prepared for what's ahead.
'I think playoff time, that's one of the most important attributes you can have, is being strong between the ears,' Hellebuyck said. 'You don't want to go into a game playing with fear. If you play with fear, that's when you start to actually make mistakes and want things back.
'We go out, we play our game and you continue to be better every single shift, every single game and every single day. That's my mindset moving forward, and I'm looking forward to that.'
___
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Intriguing Blackhawks Goalie Could Reach New Heights
Earlier this week, the Chicago Blackhawks re-signed goaltender Arvid Soderblom to a two-year, $5.5 million contract. The Blackhawks and Soderblom were scheduled for arbitration, but they have now avoided that by getting this new contract done.
Associated Press
26 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Attack of 'large proportions' disrupts streaming of Barcelona's preseason match in Japan
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — An attack of 'large proportions' disrupted the streaming of Barcelona's preseason match in Japan on the club's streaming platforms, the club said Sunday. Barcelona said 'various pages' attempted to disrupt the live feed of the team's 3-1 win at Vissel Kobe on Sunday. 'As a result of this avalanche of requests, the system engaged the pertinent security mechanisms which then affected the broadcast on the (club's) website and app,' Barcelona said in a statement. 'Straightaway, the decision was taken to offer the game free on the club's YouTube platform to guarantee the broadcast of the game.' Barcelona apologized 'for the inconvenience caused and will contact all those people affected.' Barcelona's trip for the Asia preseason tour was delayed because of an issue with a promoter. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Blake Wheeler Pens Messsage to Jets Fans Following Retirement
Longtime member of the Winnipeg Jets and former captain Blake Wheeler recently announced his retirement from professional hockey. This weekend, he released a lengthy statement to fans, his playing cities, coaches and family as a thank-you to important figures in his life. The full message from Wheeler: With the news out that my playing days are behind me, I wanted to share a message of gratitude for all of the opportunities I've received over the years. Thank you to every coach, staff member, and fan who supported me along the way. A special thank you to all of the medical and equipment trainers I had the pleasure of working with. To my teammates: you pushed me to be my best, and I leave the game with friendships that will last a you to the Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, and New York Rangers for the opportunity to wear your sweaters. It was an honor every time I stepped on the ice. To the city of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Jets organization, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You embraced me and my family from day one and gave me the honor of serving as your captain. Together, we built something special. I'll never forget stepping on the ice for The Whiteout for every big playoff game at home. The energy, the pride, the connection. It was unforgettable. It was more than hockey. It was home. To my parents, Pat and Jim, thank you for your unwavering support. When no one believed in me, you did, and I will always be grateful. To my kids, Louie, Leni, and Mase, sharing this journey with you has been the greatest joy of these past 16 years. I love you. Sam, you have been by my side every step of the way. No one has supported me like you, and I'm thankful for your love and friendship. I love you forever and always. I owe everything I have in this world to the game of hockey, and for that, I am truly grateful. Blake Wheeler
