Hellebuyck gets run support, posts shutout in must-win Game 5 for Jets
Well, it took awhile, but Connor Hellebuyck finally got that support to the tune of four goals.
Hellebuyck stopped all 22 shots fired at him in Winnipeg's 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars to stave off elimination in Game 5 of the best-of-seven, second-round playoff series on Thursday.
'That's hockey right there,' Hellebuyck said. 'If it was a tight game, we were willing to play that. It's just how it goes. We got some pucks in the net tonight and we got lots going in this room, and it was fun to watch.'
Hellebuyck became the seventh reigning William M. Jennings Trophy winner with a shutout while facing elimination. He joined Patrick Roy, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas, Martin Brodeur, Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek.
He's also one of six goaltenders in NHL history to account for each of a franchise's first five playoff shutouts, recording two in a single series for the second time.
'Felt good,' Hellebuyck said. 'That was a great team win, took everyone and we're going to have to do it again (in Game 6 in Dallas on Saturday).'
The team had discussed changing its strategy heading into the game with its season on the line.
'We talked about,' Jets captain Adam Lowry said. 'If we could get back to defending how we have all year, if we could get back to that fast transition game, good puck support all over the ice, we'd put ourselves and (Hellebuyck) in a much better position to be successful.'
Hellebuyck made an amazing save off Thomas Harley in the opening minute of the second period.
'That was incredible, but it's what he's done for us all year,' Lowry said. 'Another stellar game by him … We have so much confidence in Connor, what he does, what he means for our team. In games like tonight, he's certainly the reason why we have that belief.'
Their confidence in Hellebuyck never waned.
'Even times when we weren't helping him out, he's still, I thought, looked great,' said Kyle Connor, who had two assists. 'His confidence never wavers. He's the type of guy who comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face and gives us his best.'
Nikolaj Ehlers, with two, Vladislav Namestnikov and Mark Scheifele scored for Winnipeg.
'They played a great game, their goalie played a great game,' said Stars forward Tyler Seguin. 'We were one shot away there for a little bit. Excited to go home and try to close it out there.'
The Jets have lost nine straight playoff games on the road, including five this year.
'It doesn't happen what's happened in the past,' Hellebuyck said. 'We've got one game ahead of us and we're just going to focus on winning that one.'
The Jets head to Dallas still down 3-2 in the series. They have never rebounded from a 3-1 deficit to win a series in franchise history.
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
'I think we've been building our game all season long,' Hellebuyck said. 'It's unfortunate that we got into this position but I believe in this group, I believe in myself and I believe in all of our fans, so we're going to continue to compete and leave it all out there, and that's all we can ask for.'
A team down 3-1 in a series has come back to win 32 times in NHL history. The last one to do it was the Florida Panthers in 2023, beating the Boston Bruins.
'They're gonna have a big pushback the next game, so we've got to make sure our details are right and we bring it,' Hellebuyck said. 'Our backs are against the wall and it's time to play Jet hockey.'
If the Jets win Game 6, Game 7 will be played in Winnipeg on Monday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
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Winnipeg Free Press
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Special teams had been the one phase that hadn't let Winnipeg down during their losing streak, but that changed as rookie returner Trey Vaval fielded a punt cleanly but began to lose possession of the slick ball when he clutched it in anticipation of a hit. Brandon Calver completely dislodged the pill, which was touched by the Argos before it went out of bounds. The mishap from Vaval only cost the Bombers three points, as the defence stood strong to force a 32-yard field goal by Hajrullahu, who also connected from 22, 40, 16, 21 and 36 on this night. On the next Winnipeg drive, with Streveler in shotgun for a short second-down, the snap from center Chris Kolankowski never got off the ground, as the ball skidded right past the QB to set up another Winnipeg punt. It was one thing after another for the visitors, who also struggled to tackle throughout the game. 'I mean, we talked about it before the game, potentially wet conditions. We brought extra pairs of cleats and things. 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Toronto's offence opened with a trick play as Nick Arbuckle lateraled to former Bombers returner Janarion Grant, who found a wide-open Coxie for a 41-yard gain. Winnipeg was fortunate the ball was underthrown, because Coxie would've scored. It didn't matter. Two plays later, Arbuckle found Coxie on a 33-yard touchdown to cap a quick strike from the Argos on a four-play, 81-yard drive that took 79 seconds off the clock. 'He's a professional,' said Deatrick Nichols. 'Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses, and he's just pretty good at his strengths. He knows exactly how to win. He's not a fast or a twitchy athlete, but he wins how he wins — body position and everything like that. He's just a professional.' Coxie also accounted for gains of 27, 17 and nine in the first half, as he repeatedly found space in the Winnipeg defence to the point defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger benched field corner Marquise Bridges. Bridges finished the game; however, after his replacement, Trey Vaval, exited the game in the fourth quarter with an injury. Credit to Arbuckle, who delivered an admirable performance despite taking a beating in the pocket. The Argos' pivot completed 22 of 31 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns despite being sacked five times. Turnovers. Penalties. Explosive plays. Collectively, they've been the story of the Bombers' losing streak, and this one was no different. Winnipeg left the field with seven turnovers to the Argos' one, and the club's turnover margin has plummeted to a dreadful minus-14 in its last three games. Collaros' first interception led to a field goal for the Boatmen, and his second came inside the red zone, effectively wiping away at least three points for the Blue and Gold. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Meanwhile, Winnipeg finished with six penalties for 55 yards. Some continued to be inexcusable, such as a roughing-the-passer called on Jay Person that extended the Argos' first-quarter drive, which ended with an 18-yard strike from Arbuckle to DaVaris Daniels. The Bombers' defence conceded four big plays, which all came in the first half. That continues to be an area of concern for this club. 'Definitely saw some improvement, but in a game where there's already some conditions that are interesting, you fundamentally have to be really, really sound, and we weren't necessarily fundamentally sound,' said O'Shea. 'You needed to add that on top of it this game, and I don't know that we were ready to add that back on top of some of the other things we were trying to fix.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
