Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is preparing for a bounce-back performance in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
Hellebuyck, the favorite to win this season’s Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie, made sure his recovery from a high-scoring Game 1 included replenishing his fluids.
“That was probably one of the most sweatiest games I’ve played in this league,” Hellebuyck said on Monday. “So there’s a few extra things I had to do.”
Hellebuyck faced 46 shots in the Jets’ 7-6 win over the Avalanche on Sunday. The teams combined for 12 goals in the game, marking only the second time in Stanley Cup playoff history that two teams have combined for at least six goals in multiple periods.
“I’ve been in this league long enough it’s going to be, ‘I need to stop one more than the other guy.’ I turn my mindset to that,” Hellebuyck said.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar acknowledged Georgiev’s performance in Game 1 needs to improve.
“It’s going to be about mental toughness, right? Not just for him, for our group,” Bednar said. “As positive as I’m going to be up here and sitting up here, we didn’t win the hockey game. But you have to be able to reset.”
Backup netminder Justus Annunen missed Sunday’s game because he was ill. He was still sick on Monday and wasn’t at the rink. Arvid Holm, who’s never played an NHL game, backed up Georgiev in Game 1.
The Jets drafted Holm in 2017 (167th overall). He played two seasons with Winnipeg’s AHL Manitoba Moose affiliate (2021-23).
Hellebuyck claimed the Vezina in 2020 and was a finalist last year and in 2018.
He played 60 games this past regular season, registering a 37-19-4 record, 2.39 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
Avalanche forward Zach Parise is very familiar with Hellebuyck’s skills over the course of his 19-season NHL career.
“From the numbers that (Hellebuyck has) put up this year, he had a great season,” Parise said Monday. “We knew going into the series that will be a great challenge.”
Both sides liked the ‘whiteout’
Forward Tyler Toffoli joined the Jets at the trade deadline from the New Jersey Devils and experienced his first Winnipeg playoff game Sunday.
“With the planes flying over, I didn’t think it was actually real. I thought it was a video, you know?” Toffoli said. “That was sweet. So, hopefully we can keep the energy up and get a couple more wins.”
Bednar also soaked up the atmosphere from the visitors’ bench.
“I hadn’t been in a playoff atmosphere here yet and that’s as good as it gets,” Bednar said. “It’s a whiteout, the fans are chanting and going crazy and you can feel the energy on the bench.
“It gave me goosebumps as a coach and I think the players were all feeling the same thing and it just forces you to bring your best.”
