MILAN — Having played in goal for the Winnipeg Jets in seven of the last eight NHL playoff series, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has had his share of great moments.
Not the kind with a Stanley Cup on the line, but the ones that are a product of circumstance.
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The Jets failed to make it out of the first round — or qualifying — in four of the aforementioned playoffs, and Hellebuyck shouldered a significant portion of the blame as the franchise’s longtime No. 1 goaltender.
Hellebuyck is a shocking 1-9 in his last 10 road playoff games dating back to 2021. His .917 save percentage from 2022 through the current NHL regular season leads the NHL, but it has fallen to .872 in the playoffs over that span.
Connor Hellebuyck saves the puck during the men’s ice hockey semifinal game between the United States and Slovakia at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, February 20, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
One of the most recent images of Hellebuyck comes from Game 6 of the Jets’ first-round playoff series against the Blues last year.
He had already been scratched in Game 4, and after allowing five goals on 23 shots in 40 minutes of play – including four goals in 5:23 – Hellebuyck was on the bench at the start of the third.
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In the NHL, Hellebuyck was not up to par.
Since joining the international game, however, the Michigan native has left no doubt as to who America’s best goalkeeper is. Team USA will need that to continue if they want to beat Canada for a gold medal on Sunday.
Asked about his confidence level five games into his first Olympic tournament – in which he stopped 90 of the 95 shots he faced – Hellebuyck’s usual stoic demeanor completely changed.
“Oh, an absolute record,” he said, smiling for the first time during the scrum with reporters after his 22-save performance against Slovakia on Friday night. “You know, I really enjoy it. It’s fun. You can’t really be a part of it. I’m going to enjoy every second here.”
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The 32-year-old leads the Olympic tournament with a .947 save percentage and a 1.23 goals-against average. So far, Hellebuyck has been lively, consistent and stingy.
After allowing a couple of third-period goals to Slovakia in a blowout quarterfinal victory, Hellebuyck laughed at himself, saying he “got a little bored in there, and it cost me a goal.” This shows how light Hellebuyck looks and probably feels heading into this gold medal clash against Canada.
Slovakia’s Adam Liska (23) battles with American Brock Faber, center, for the puck in front of U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period of a men’s ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. AP
His American teammates praised Hellebuyck’s calm behind them.
That kind of presence is exactly what the United States men’s hockey team will need to win it all.
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“He’s amazing,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “He’s been incredible year after year. And it seems like in this short tournament, even going back to last year at the 4 Nations, he’s been a brick wall. He’s been great. He plays the puck really well. It seems like everything that hits him sticks. He’s so good. He’s so steady. The biggest asset is probably the confidence he gives us. We’re very excited to have him behind us for the gold medal game.”
OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES 2026
Hellebuyck is one of 13 goaltenders in NHL history to win three Vezina Trophies, tied with Patrick Roy, Glenn Hall and Tony Esposito. Only eight goalies have won the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player, and he is one of only three this century.
However, it was Hellebuyck’s playoff failures that dominated his story throughout his 11-year NHL career. This game has the magnitude to change the narrative.
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It’s been 46 years since the Miracle on Ice, the last time the Americans won gold in men’s hockey.
Canada is 4-1 against the United States in Olympic tournaments featuring NHL players. Team USA never beat the Canadians when it mattered.
Hellebuyck, as the last line of defense, has the opportunity to become an American hero.
Suddenly, the NHL playoff scene wouldn’t seem so big.
