Playoff Performer of the Night | Connor Hellebuyck
Connor Hellebuyck picked up a franchise record and his first win of the Winnipeg Jets' first-round series against the Nashville Predators Friday night in a 4-1 victory.
Connor Hellebuyck picked up a franchise record and his first win of the Winnipeg Jets' second round series against the Nashville Predators Friday night in a 4-1 victory.
The Vezina Trophy finalist turned aside 47 shots for the most saves in a playoffs game in Jets/ Thrashers' franchise history, surpassing the mark previously set by Johan Hedberg in 2007 and matched by Ondrej Pavelec in 2015. He turned some heads while doing it, too.
In case you don't know him, his name is Connor Hellebuyck and he's pretty good at the goalie thing. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/WWToiXb8bF
— NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2018
Hellebuyck was tested right out of gates when a determined Nashville offence fired 20 shots on net in the opening frame -- none of which beat the Jets' goalie -- but Brandon Tanev would strike first for the Jets with the game's opening goal. The Jets were up 3-0 in the middle frame before Kevin Fiala broke Hellebuyck's shutout bid 1:23 into the third period, while Mark Scheifele went on to seal the game for the Jets with an empty-netter for his second goal of the night.
The 24-year-old was named first star of the game for his heroics.
Puck drops on Game 2 Sunday before the Western Conference series shifts back to Winnipeg.