 and Gabe Vilardi (13) celebrate goal Nov 7 2024 in Wpg against Colorado (Winnipeg Jets Facebook).jpg)
In a defensive battle against the Colorado Avalanche, Connor Hellebuyck shone brightly, notching his 40th career shutout to propel the Winnipeg Jets to a 1-0 victory on home ice Thursday night.
The shutout was a milestone for Hellebuyck and extended his impressive streak to 133:09 minutes of shutout hockey, following his previous start against Tampa Bay.
Gabe Vilardi opened the scoring for Winnipeg just 1:06 into the game. He finished off a quick odd-man rush with a pass from Mark Scheifele, marking his fifth goal in six games.
The VILARDI PARTY has already begun 🎉 pic.twitter.com/DZLvO2htpj
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 8, 2024
Despite the early goal, this game would ultimately come down to Hellebuyck’s heroic efforts in net, as the Avalanche surged in the latter periods.
Facing the Avalanche for the first time since Colorado knocked Winnipeg out in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, the Jets were determined to make a statement. "To say this game is just another game would be a lie," forward Mason Appleton said before the contest.
Hellebuyck’s performance delivered that statement, as he held strong through a late onslaught from Colorado’s star-studded lineup. He made 35 saves, including a highlight-reel stop on Cale Makar in the third period to preserve the shutout.
His efforts neutralized the top-scoring line led by Nathan MacKinnon, who recently took the league’s lead in points.
The trio of Adam Lowry, Nino Niederreiter, and Mason Appleton helped contain MacKinnon and linemates Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen, who could not find the back of the net despite a combined nine shots.
Hellebuyck 47th on all-time shutout list
Helle’s last ✌️ games:
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 8, 2024
56 saves ❌
ZERO goal allowed ❌
KING. pic.twitter.com/oq7ygUDPmM
“We didn’t give up at all. We battled right to the end and, like I said, they were clearing rebounds, giving me lanes, boxing out,” Hellebuyck said. “Puck was hitting me. We had a perfect combination for a game like that.”
Hellebuyck now sits at 47 on the NHL's all-time shutout list.
He reached the milestone in 516 games played with a record of 285-174-41.
Hellebuyck has career stats of a 2.61 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.
The Jets’ victory moves them to a 13-1-0 record, making them only the second team in NHL history to win 13 of their first 14 games, a feat shared with the 2007-08 Ottawa Senators.
If the Jets win their next game they'll become the only NHL team in history to start with 14 wins in their first 15 games.
Winnipeg will wrap up their four-game homestand Saturday afternoon, facing another Central Division foe, the Dallas Stars.
HELLE 👏 HELLE 👏 HELLE 👏@saraorlesky | #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/sl9bAO4IRW
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 8, 2024