Being a goalie must be an interesting job. One game you’re scorching hot, the next game you’re simply not. That was the case with the Winnipeg Jet’s Connor Hellebuyck over the past two games. On Tuesday evening against the Vancouver Canucks, Hellebuyck was pushed hard but he didn’t budge. The very next game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he simply couldn’t stop anything – or not much of anything – and gave up five goals on just 12 shots.
I watched the Canucks game; and, to my eyes, the Canucks outplayed the Jets, but they simply couldn’t beat Hellebuyck. In fact, Hellebuyck stopped all 41 Canucks shots in a 4-0 win. That win improved his record to 21-13-4 with a goals-against-average of 2.57 GAA and a .923 save percentage in 39 games this season.
However, his record dropped to 21-14-4 with his loss to the Lightning. He was mercifully pulled halfway through the second period when Laurent Brossoit replaced him. By the way, Brossoit wasn’t much better and gave up two goals on 14 shots.
In this post, as the Jets travel to play the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow evening, I will try to keep Jets’ fans up-to-date on what’s happening with the team and in the organization.
Related: Winnipeg Jets’ News & Rumors: Hellebuyck, Connor, Laine, Lowry, Niku, Wheeler & Roslovic
Item One: Nelson Nogier Recalled from the Manitoba Moose
Now that the Jets have three defensemen on the IR and Dustin Byfuglien on suspension, the Jets need help. As a result, Nelson Nogier’s been called up by the team. His job will be to support the bottom pairing.
Nogier’s not much for offense, and has only scored six points in 42 AHL games this season. The 23-year-old hasn’t played in the NHL this season but he’s played in 11 games with the Jets over the years.
Item Two: Carl Dahlstrom Can’t Win for Trying
Carl Dahlstrom has been a healthy scratch for much of the season; however, he got some ice time against the Canucks. The good news? He got his first point of the season (an assist) in his 15th game. The bad news? He broke his hand sometime during the game and it looks as if he won’t be able to play again for six weeks. That’s tough for him and tough for the Jets, who have been short on defense all season. Hence the call-up of Nogier.
Item Three: Mathieu Perreault Sounds Off Against the Canucks’ Jake Virtanen
To say that Mathieu Perreault was angry on Thursday after the NHL Department of Player Safety didn’t take action after Jake Virtanen’s elbow to his head is an understatement. In fact, he had plenty to say. During the game and after, Virtanen wasn’t given a penalty by on-ice officials.
As Perreault said, “I can’t really protect myself if the league’s not going to protect me. I’m the smallest guy on the ice so I can’t really fight anybody. The only thing I can do to defend myself is to use my stick so the next guy that does that to me is gonna get my stick. And I better not get suspended for it.”
Perreault later modified his statement by noting he wouldn’t slash anyone in the face.
Item Four: One Bit of Good News for Jack Roslovic
About the only good news emerging from the loss to the Lightning is that Jack Roslovic scored his ninth goal of the season. Furthermore, given the huge goal discrepancy, Roslovic played well and ended up with a minus-1 rating. That’s not bad. With that goal, Roslovic now has scored in back-to-back games for the first time since Feb. 3-6, 2018.
Related: Winnipeg Jets Patrik Laine: From Goal-Scorer to Assist Machine
What’s Next for the Winnipeg Jets?
As noted, the Jets play on Sunday in Chicago then move onwards in its three-game road trip. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the team plays back-to-back games in Carolina and in Columbus. They then return home for a rare set of back-to-back games against the Boston Bruins and then the St. Louis Blues on Friday and Saturday evening.
That’s a tough schedule, and the team is playing without a full compliment of players on its blueline. It’ll be a tough stretch; however, if Hellebuyck is on his game there’s a chance.
