Connor Hellebuyck Celebrates Career Win No. 300 Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been named the NHL's first star of the week for the second time this season. Posting two wins, a shutout, a .960 SV% and a 1.00 GAA, including his 300th career win, which was the third fastest in NHL history, it isn't surprising to see Hellebuyck named the league's first star of the week. His consistency has been unmatched this season but the extreme highs he's had this season have set him apart from every goaltender in the NHL and quite possibly every player. Per the NHL's press release; "Hellebuyck became the third-fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach the 300-win milestone, going 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .960 save percentage and one shutout to help the Jets (29-12-3, 61 points) pad their lead atop the Central Division. He made 26 saves, including 11 in the third period, to record his 300th career victory in a 5-2 triumph versus the Nashville Predators Jan. 7. At 538 games, Hellebuyck became the third-fastest goaltender to achieve the milestone, behind only Andrei Vasilevskiy (490 GP) and Jacques Plante (521 GP). The reigning Vezina Trophy winner then stopped all 22 shots he faced in a 3-0 win against the Colorado Avalanche to earn his League-leading sixth shutout of 2024-25, tying a franchise record he established in 2017-18 (67 GP) and matched in 2019-20 (58 GP). The 31-year-old Hellebuyck has appeared in 34 total games this season, topping the NHL (minimum: 14 GP) in wins (26), goals-against average (2.02), save percentage (.928) and shutouts (6). He is seeking to become the fifth goaltender in League history to finish a campaign as the leader in all four categories, a distinction previously achieved by Plante (1958-59 w/ MTL), Ken Dryden (1972-73 w/ MTL), Bernie Parent (1973-74 w/ PHI) and Bob Froese (1985-86 w/ PHI)." The level Hellebuyck has been playing at should not just have him as the above-and-beyond front-runner for the Vezina trophy but in the race for the Hart Trophy which is awarded to the league's most valuable player. His impact on the Jets is unquestionable and he's posting numbers that are comparable to other goaltenders who won the Hart Trophy. Make sure you bookmark THN's Winnipeg Jets site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
