Jets Reach 100 Points; Hellebuyck First To 40 Wins
The Winnipeg Jets narrowly scraped by an Edmonton Oilers squad without Leon Draisaitl and one that lost Connor McDavid and Stuart Skinner during the game, but the win is all that matters, and it helped the organization reach multiple milestones.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) checks back into the game following a timeout in the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesThe Washington Capitals may have hit 100 points in one fewer game, but the NHL leaders in points were able to do it on the same night. The Jets are 48-18-4, and the Capitals are 46-15-8, both reaching exactly 100 points.
The Jets have obtained this milestone by remaining consistent throughout the season, ranking third in goals scored per game and first in goals allowed per game. Their consistency is recognizable from each player in the lineup but the one player who always seems to stand out in particular is Connor Hellebuyck.
Only the Tampa Bay Lightning's goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has played a higher percentage of his team's games than Hellebuyck.
Despite that, no goaltender has recorded more wins, more shutouts, a better save percentage and a better goals-against average than the Jets' 31-year-old puck-stopper. He's the first goaltender to record 40 wins this season and is doing so for the second time in his career.
While it feels like there isn't much competition in the Vezina race despite stellar seasons from Vasilevskiy, Logan Thompson and others, Hellebuyck has cemented his name as a Hart Trophy candidate.
Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl are perceived as the front runners, but Hellebuyck's dominance deserves more attention.
The Jets have bigger goals than personal awards, and it's why resting Hellebuyck a bit more in the final stretch of games is vital. He's shown signs of fatigue, and with the Central Division and the Western Conference nearly locked up, keeping the Commerce, MI native fresh for the postseason could prove to be crucial.
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