Latest news with #Hellebuyck
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Auston Matthews and Connor Hellebuyck lead the 2025 NHL playoffs all-bust team
We're well into the conference finals, having now witnessed over a month's worth of playoff performances. For some fans, now would be the time to celebrate the best of the best and spend some time admiring the players who've elevated their games when it matters most. For the other 99 percent of us, there's this column. It's playoff disappointment time. Advertisement As always, some ground rules™: • We're building a 21-man roster, with 12 forwards, six defensemen and three goalies, because we'll need that extra guy. Beyond that, positions don't matter. We'll also have a coach and GM, because the guys in suits deserve some scrutiny, too. • There's a maximum of three spots per team. • Every playoff team must be represented at least once. And yes, that last rule applies to the teams that are still playing, which opens the door to that fun situation where I call somebody a bust and then they score four goals that night. I'm willing to take that risk because it's the playoffs, and it's all about courage. As with any great team, we build from the net out … We might as well start with a bang, as Hellebuyck's early struggles may have been the biggest story of the first two rounds. Despite being a sure-thing to win his third Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie this year, Hellebuyck's playoff struggles were a well-worn narrative, especially after he was shelled last year. This time, he was at least able to get the Jets out of the first round, although that's not much consolation for a team that needed more. He was often shaky at home and outright awful on the road, although he got better as the Stars series went on. Ultimately, an .866 save percentage was nowhere near good enough, and now you have to wonder how much the Jets can count on their franchise player going forward. The Vezina finalist spent the regular season announcing, 'I'm back.' Then he spent five playoff games saying 'just kidding,' posting a miserable .872 save percentage against the Panthers. It's the third postseason in a row that he's been under .900, and the third in a row that's seen him and the Lightning out after round one. That's hard to accept for Tampa fans, even if we all know whose fault it is. I'm not sure which is more surprising: that the 2023 Cup hero went cold in this year's playoffs, or that the notoriously impatient Golden Knights left him in the crease the whole time. It could have paid off, and it's not like you can blame the goalie when your season ends on back-to-back shutouts. But you need your goalie to be great to beat the Oilers, and an .887 won't cut it. At 35, you're no longer expecting the sort of offensive numbers that nearly won him the Norris Trophy in 2020. But you'd like to see more than a single secondary assist at even strength across two rounds of playoff action. Worse, he led the league in expected goals against per 60 among defensemen who played at least 100 minutes. Advertisement His comeback from injury was a great story, and there were times during the season when the 35-year-old looked like his younger, Norris-contending self. Those moments were few and far between in the postseason, with the Kings mostly underwater during his five-on-five minutes by just about every available metric, including plain old goals (where he was a minus-7 for the series). It's the top-heavy Oilers, we get it, but the Kings needed more. This feels a little unfair, given he was coming back from an injury. Almost any production might have felt like a bonus, even as the Devils needed everything they could get. Instead, Hamilton managed just two first-period secondary assists in the series, while the expected goals for his ice time dipped below 40 percent. The good news is that Spurgeon scored 100 percent of the goals that the Wild got from the blue line against Vegas. The bad news is that it adds up to one goal. The more unfortunate news is that it was Spurgeon's only point of the series. The even more unfortunate news is that the captain was also underwater by just about every metric. He hasn't been awful, but you'd like to see a bit more from the Oilers' highest-paid defenseman, especially with Mattias Ekholm out. Instead, you could argue that Nurse's biggest contribution has been taking Roope Hintz out with a slash. Still, I'm mostly using Nurse here to fill out the blue line, and because it would feel mean to pick Jeff Skinner after he waited 15 seasons to make his playoff debut and then immediately got benched. Zub's one of those old-school shutdown defensemen where you're happy if you don't notice them at all. Sometimes those guys can be the hidden key to a playoff upset. Sometimes, like Zub did against the Leafs, they put up the single worst on-ice expected goals percentage of any defenseman in the postseason while leading the league in high-danger chances allowed per 60. Partner Jake Sanderson should wear some of that, too, but at least he had an OT winner. We might as well start the forward group with our captain. Matthews once again delivered a quiet postseason, this time with just three goals in 13 games. He was hurt (like probably most of the guys on this list), and his two-way game was fine. But we all know the story in Toronto by now, and this time it cost the president his job. Advertisement The back-to-back Art Ross Trophy winner didn't have a goal and was held to just four assists, with three of those coming in the Lightning's only win. In four losses, Kucherov managed just a single assist, and that came early in Game 1. Not a great performance for a guy who's led the postseason in scoring twice in his career. It's been a weird postseason so far for Tkachuk, who's very clearly hurt and maybe wouldn't even be playing if it were November instead of May. He's still putting up nearly a point-per-game, but that includes only four goals, and just one in his last 13 games. Given how we've seen him elevate his game in previous playoffs, it's strange to see him be just kind of there this year. With the potential for some rest and recovery time before the final, if the Panthers can close the series out on Wednesday, there's a good chance this pick comes back to haunt me. I'll be honest, I kind of forgot Benn was on this team when I first made this list. (I had Jason Robertson as my first Stars pick, so Dallas fans, you're welcome for those two goals over the last two games.) Benn isn't the Art Ross guy he once was, but you'd hope for more than one goal and three points, especially in what could be his final run with the only team he's ever known. Maybe he's saving the best for a dramatic finish? Call this the Mikko Rantanen effect, because Necas wasn't bad — his five points were tied for third on the team. But when the guy you were essentially traded for is lighting up the series on the other side, the spotlight is going to shine brighter on your production. And Necas had just one goal and four assists in a series in which Rantanen went for five and seven. The Senators' problem was that most of their best players were pretty good in a playoff series where they were going to need a few guys to be great. Cozens didn't even get to pretty good in his long-awaited playoff debut, with only two points. Or, as his former Sabres teammates would call it, 'a Conn Smythe-worthy performance.' With Jack Hughes out, the Devils needed their remaining stars to shine to have any chance against the Hurricanes. Bratt managed just three points, and the Devils got rolled. Hertl laid a postseason egg for the second straight year, contributing just three goals and five points over 11 games. The Golden Knights' inability to summon offense when they needed it was their biggest story of the postseason, and Hertl's line was a huge part of that. Advertisement Coming off what had seemed like a breakout year in which he had career highs of 30 goals and 89 points, Suzuki couldn't get much going against the Capitals. He had two goals, and they were both important. But that was it for the offense, leaving him tied in the series scoring ranks with guys such as Trevor van Riemsdyk and Alexandre Carrier. After hitting the 70-point mark for the third time in four years, Kyrou couldn't get much going in the playoffs. He scored three times but didn't have any helpers, and his opener, a minute into Game 7, was his only even-strength point of the series. He was part of Team Canada at the 4 Nations because he's supposed to be the sort of guy you can go to battle with when games are toughest. But against the Panthers, he was limited to just a single point — and that was an empty net goal in a game that was already decided. Put it this way, when your only point isn't even the most memorable thing that happens on that shift, it hasn't been a great postseason. Believe it or not, the Hurricanes have made it to the conference final before running into (among other things) a lack of offensive firepower. You don't expect Kotkaniemi to be a game breaker, but you wouldn't mind a goal. For the second straight playoff run, he hasn't provided one and was even a healthy scratch against the Panthers. Maybe the easiest pick for this whole roster. We're probably at the point where the 'One no-hope challenge cost the Kings the entire series' narrative is a bit overdone. But it was a series turning point, without question. It's tough to go back and read Eric's piece from after that game, in which everyone acknowledges that Hiller's mistake could flip the series. It did, and while it wasn't the Kings' only problem, it's a moment that nobody's going to forget anytime soon. OK, one last Rantanen reference. MacFarland couldn't have enjoyed watching the player he chose to trade light his team up in a Game 7, especially with Necas failing to come close to keeping up. Mix in deadline acquisitions, Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle, combining for one goal and four assists in the series, and MacFarland's probably glad that half of you still think Joe Sakic is the GM in Colorado. (Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Mike Carlson, Cameron Bartlett, Juan Ocampo / NHLI / Getty Images)
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Connor Hellebuyck's playoff struggles reveals the risks of over-adjusting
Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets (Credit: Getty Image) Connor Hellebuyck entered the 2025 playoffs riding the wave of a career-best season, along with the Winnipeg Jets finishing atop the NHL standings. This was backed by his league-leading stats, expectations were naturally high, and his dominance in the regular season, 47 wins, eight shutouts, and a 2.00 GAA. These earned him a third Vezina Trophy nomination, but once the puck dropped in the postseason, the narrative shifted. The first round exposed underlying performance issues Winnipeg Jets end of season media availability: Connor Hellebuyck Against the St. Louis Blues in Round 1, Hellebuyck's game faltered. He was pulled in three of the seven games. In those appearances, he allowed 16 goals on just 66 shots. The save percentage dropped drastically, hinting at more than just off nights. The Blues series raised questions, not just about results, but about his process. While the Jets ultimately advanced, the goaltending concerns lingered. Tweaks to the technique disrupted his rhythm Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets (Credit: Getty Image) Sources close to the team noted that Hellebuyck had adjusted aspects of his play ahead of the postseason. In a sport where consistency is crucial, these changes may have altered the natural flow of his game. Adjustments, meant to refine, instead seemed to create hesitation. Instead of reacting on instinct, he appeared locked in thought, reacting a split-second slower, deadly in playoff hockey. A late mental reset brought improvement By the time the Jets faced the Dallas Stars in Round 2, Hellebuyck looked more composed. He recorded two shutouts in six games and improved his GAA to 2.20. But the damage had already been done. Winnipeg was eliminated in overtime in Game 6. The numbers improved, but the team couldn't recover from the shaky start. Hellebuyck's late turnaround suggested that once he returned to his natural game, his confidence followed. Read more: Seth Jarvis, how behind NHL draft he raised as an evolutionary player in his journey Hellebuyck's postseason showed that even elite players are vulnerable to overcorrection. In high-pressure situations, trusting what has worked all season may be more effective than chasing perfection. His performance was not defined by a lack of skill, but by a brief loss of identity in the crease. The Jets and their goaltender will likely carry that lesson into the next season, a reminder that small changes can have big consequences. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Connor Hellebuyck's playoff struggles: How adjustments impacted the Winnipeg Jets' Season
Connor Hellebuyck entered the 2025 playoffs following an exceptional regular season, where the Winnipeg Jets secured the top position in the NHL standings. His impressive statistics included 47 victories, eight shutouts and a 2.00 GAA, leading to his third Vezina Trophy nomination. However, his postseason performance differed significantly from his regular season excellence. The opening round revealed significant challenges in his performance. During the St. Louis Blues series in Round 1, Hellebuyck struggled considerably. He was removed from three matches out of seven, conceding 16 goals from 66 shots. His declining save percentage indicated serious issues beyond occasional poor form. Though the Jets progressed, concerns about his goalkeeping remained prominent. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Prince William & Kate Met Princess Diana's Secret Daughter. Plays Star Undo Technical modifications affected his performance negatively. Team insiders reported that Hellebuyck had implemented technical changes before the playoffs commenced. These alterations appeared to disrupt his natural playing style. Rather than maintaining his instinctive responses, he seemed to hesitate, resulting in delayed reactions that proved costly in playoff matches. Live Events His performance improved following a psychological adjustment. In the Round 2 series against the Dallas Stars , Hellebuyck displayed better form. He achieved two shutouts across six matches, reducing his GAA to 2.20. However, the earlier difficulties had already impacted the team's progress. Despite his improved statistics, Winnipeg's journey ended in Game 6's overtime. His enhanced performance indicated that returning to his established playing style restored his confidence. "Read more: Seth Jarvis, how behind NHL draft he raised as an evolutionary player in his journey" Hellebuyck's playoff experience demonstrates how top athletes can be affected by excessive adjustments. During crucial moments, maintaining proven strategies often yields better results than pursuing flawless performance. His challenges stemmed from temporarily losing his established playing style rather than lacking ability. This experience likely provides valuable insights for both the Jets and Hellebuyck moving forward, highlighting how minor changes can significantly impact outcomes.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets Send Strong Message With Connor Hellebuyck Comments
The Winnipeg Jets are still alive in their second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars. Winnipeg was able to stave off elimination in Game 5 behind a strong performance from goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck stopped all 22 shot attempts that came against him and helped lift his team up. The goalie has been the MVP of the squad all season long, making his road playoff struggles that much more frustrating. Advertisement The Jets have yet to win a game on the road in the playoffs this year, with Hellebuyck being pulled multiple times. The star goalie is 0-5 on the road with a .793 save percentage and a 5.84 goals-against average this postseason. But even with all the odds stacked against him entering Game 6 in Dallas, the Jets are rallying around their leader. 'I'm glad you brought that up, actually,' Jets captain Adam Lowry said of the flashy save on Harley, legs splayed, glove held high. 'That was incredible, but it's what he's done for us all year. Another stellar game by him. It's 0-0, (and) we have a bit of a breakdown, and we could easily be down 1-0 there. It gets the building on their feet, gives us some energy, lets us take a deep breath, and we are able to score four-on-four not too long after. We have so much confidence in Connor, what he does, what he means for our team.' Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on a shot by Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen (96) during the third period in game five of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Lee-Imagn Images If the Jets are going to come back from a 3-1 deficit, Hellebuyck is going to be a big reason why. Winnipeg just needs to win one road game in this series, but the pressure is on. Advertisement Hellebuyck will need to perform up to par in Game 6, and if he does, the Presidents' Trophy-winning team will have Game 7 on home ice. Related: Jets' Mark Scheifele Could Miss Game 6 Due to Tragic Reason Related: Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Speaks Out After Finally Scoring vs Panthers
18-05-2025
- Sport
Harley scores on OT power play, Stars beat Jets 2-1 to reach 3rd straight West final
DALLAS -- Thomas Harley scored on a power play 1:33 into overtime and the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference final for the third season in a row, beating the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in Game 6 on Saturday night. Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets hours after the unexpected death of his father, but also had the tripping penalty with 14.8 seconds left in regulation that set up Dallas to start overtime with a man advantage. Sam Steel, who scored earlier for Dallas, was on a break when Scheifele lunged forward desperately trying to make a play when he tripped up the forward at the blue line — an infraction that could have resulted in a penalty shot. The Stars called a timeout, but missed a shot and had another one blocked before the end of regulation. The Stars move on to face Edmonton in the West final for the second year in a row, and will host Game 1 on Wednesday night. Connor McDavid and the Oilers, who won in six games last year, wrapped up their second-round series with a 1-0 overtime win over Vegas on Wednesday night in Game 5. Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger made 22 saves to wrap up his sixth playoff series win over the past three seasons. He made an incredible diving save with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation, leaning to the right before having to lunge back across his body toward the left post to knock down a shot by Mason Appleton. Hellebuyck, the two-time Vezina Trophy who is the odds-on favorite to win that top goalie award again this season, stopped 18 shots. Dallas has won all three of its overtime games this postseason. It was only the second OT game for the Jets, who scored twice in the final two minutes of regulation in Game 7 of the first round and then beat St. Louis. Steel got his first goal of the playoffs midway through the second period. He shot a long rebound from the top of the right circle, sending the puck into the upper right corner of the net just above Hellebuyck's glove. Scheifele got his fifth goal of the playoffs when he gathered the rebound of Kyle Connor's shot and scored from just outside the crease 5 1/2 minutes into the second period. That score came before a whistle blew for a delayed penalty, a high stick by Oettinger into the face of Gabriel Vilardi, who got the secondary assist for his pass to Connor. After pumping his fist to celebrate, Scheifele had a huge smile on this face when mobbed by his teammates that were on the ice for the goal that made it 1-0. That was all set up after Nikolja Ehlers had a breakaway shot that was knocked away by Oettinger and retrieved by Scheifele. Hellebuyck withstood a 46-second flurry late in the first period when the Stars had eight shots — three that were on goal, along with four misses and one that was blocked.
