Stars Doing Enough to Keep Hellebuyck Off His Game
The results for Connor Hellebuyck have not been as cataclysmic as the opening round against the St. Louis Blues, but the Dallas Stars are doing enough to keep the likely Vezina Trophy winner from finding his stride.
Hellebuyck had a Jennings Trophy winning regular season - a trophy given to the goalie tandem with the lowest goals against average - but had a horrendous start to the playoffs. He was pulled in all three road games in St. Louis, but he and his team pulled out the series win in a nearly miraculous Game 7 victory.
This round, Hellebuyck has only allowed more than three goals in one of the four games, but has still been on the losing end three times. The Jets only win came in Game 2 when Hellebuyck shut out Dallas.
That could have been a turning point for him personally, but the Stars exploded for three third period goals in Game 3 in a 5-2 win that derailed Hellebuyck's progress once again.
In Game 4 on Tuesday, he did not see nearly as many shots as his counterpart Jake Oettinger did, and he probably would want the Stars first goal back. It was an unscreened shot from well out, and although Mikael Granlund has a quality wrist shot, it is a save Hellebuyck would likely have made every time in the regular season.
Give credit to Dallas. They have not caused chaos like St. Louis has, but individual efforts have been enough to overcome Hellebuyck's effort so far. The Stars were not intimidated after getting shut out, and do not seem to be concerned with how he is playing one way or another.
Dallas is playing their game, and so far, it is enough to build a 3-1 lead on Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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