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Connor Hellebuyck is looking to put his playoff struggles behind him as the Winnipeg Jets prepare for a pivotal Game 5 against the St. Louis Blues.
Winnipeg dropped Games 3 and 4 in St. Louis by scores of 7-2 and 5-1, allowing the eighth-seeded Blues to even the first-round series at 2-2.
After being pulled in back-to-back games for the first time in his postseason career, Hellebuyck addressed reporters on Monday and made it clear he remains confident.
“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. “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.”
Hellebuyck was pulled after allowing five goals on 18 shots in Game 4, just days after giving up six goals on 25 shots in Game 3.
His series save percentage has fallen to .817, a stark contrast to his regular-season numbers, where he posted a 2.00 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.
The 31-year-old was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy on Monday, joining Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hellebuyck led the NHL with 47 wins and eight shutouts this season, posting a 47-12-3 record in 63 games, and is widely considered the favorite for the award.
When it comes to playoff hockey, Hellubuyck's struggles are obvious. He holds a 20-29-0 playoff record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.95 goals-against average, but he sees no reason for making drastic changes.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) warms up before a game against the St. Louis Blues at Canada Life Centre.James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
“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.”
Jets head coach Scott Arniel defended his goaltender following the latest loss to the Blues.
“I’m 100 percent confident in Connor Hellebuyck,” Arniel said. “His resume speaks for itself. At the end of the day, we need to be better in front of him. We need to let him see some pucks.”
Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in Winnipeg, with the Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets aiming to regain control of the series.
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Winnipeg dropped Games 3 and 4 in St. Louis by scores of 7-2 and 5-1, allowing the eighth-seeded Blues to even the first-round series at 2-2.
After being pulled in back-to-back games for the first time in his postseason career, Hellebuyck addressed reporters on Monday and made it clear he remains confident.
“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. “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.”
Hellebuyck was pulled after allowing five goals on 18 shots in Game 4, just days after giving up six goals on 25 shots in Game 3.
His series save percentage has fallen to .817, a stark contrast to his regular-season numbers, where he posted a 2.00 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.
The 31-year-old was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy on Monday, joining Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hellebuyck led the NHL with 47 wins and eight shutouts this season, posting a 47-12-3 record in 63 games, and is widely considered the favorite for the award.
When it comes to playoff hockey, Hellubuyck's struggles are obvious. He holds a 20-29-0 playoff record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.95 goals-against average, but he sees no reason for making drastic changes.
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Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) warms up before a game against the St. Louis Blues at Canada Life Centre.James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
“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.”
Jets head coach Scott Arniel defended his goaltender following the latest loss to the Blues.
“I’m 100 percent confident in Connor Hellebuyck,” Arniel said. “His resume speaks for itself. At the end of the day, we need to be better in front of him. We need to let him see some pucks.”
Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in Winnipeg, with the Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets aiming to regain control of the series.
Related: Blues Fans Mock Jets' Benching of Vezina Trophy Favorite
Related: Blues' Legend Fires Up Team Chugging Beer Before Game 4 Rout of Jets
Related: Blues' Legend Fires Up Team Chugging Beer Before Game 4 Rout of Jets
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