Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck remains confident in his game despite a slide in his playoff performance during the team’s first-round series against the St. Louis Blues.
Hellebuyck, who was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy on Monday, has been chased from the crease during Winnipeg’s past two games in St. Louis, giving up a combined 11 goals on 43 shots.
The Jets lost both games, with the series tied 2-2 heading into Game 5. Winning the next one is all that matters to Hellebucyk.
“Am I going to be better? I am going to be better,” Hellebuyck told reporters after Monday’s practice. “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. That’s what I’m looking forward to do. I’ve got to get two days here and I’ve got to bring it for Game 5.”
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner had a spectacular regular season, leading the league with a career-best 47 wins, 2.00 goals-against average and eight shutouts. His .925 save percentage ranked second behind only Toronto’s Anthony Stolarz (.926).
Perhaps the series shifting back to Winnipeg will cure what ails Hellebuyck, who made 35 saves on 39 shots through the first two games of the series at Canada Life Centre. He posted a 27-3-3 record, 1.63 GAA and .938 save percentage at home during the regular season.
Hellebuyck, who also captured the Vezina in 2020, isn’t going to change anything with his game.
“You don’t win 47 games and then come the playoffs and switch everything up,” he said. “I know how it needs to look, and I like a lot of things. I’m not going to go and make huge changes. With that being said, I am going to be better. That’s my job and that’s the foot that I’m putting forward. I can’t be giving up this many goals.”
The 31-year-old from Commerce, Mich., also stressed that they’re a team and they’re not pointing fingers at anyone.
“We’re going to do this together,” he said. “I keep saying we’re in a good spot. You know, 2-2 in a series, pretty much the entire (Western Conference) is 2-2 in a series. I’m really looking forward to the next one.”
The Jets will aim to take the series lead Wednesday when they host the Blues for Game 5.
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