Good & Bad: Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck Gets Another Shutout vs Avalanche

Connor Hellebuyck did it again.

Just like he did in November, Hellebuyck continued his redemption against the Avalanche following last year’s disappointing playoff exit with yet another shutout victory. Colorado went into Winnipeg for the second time this season and couldn’t score a goal. This time, it was a 3-0 loss on Saturday in a game that ended with a late empty-net goal for the Jets. Hellebuyck made 22 saves.

Just like the game in November, Winnipeg opened the scoring early and rode that the rest of the way. Nikolaj Ehlers, who also had the empty netter, beat Mackenzie Blackwood on the Jets’ third shot. They eventually added another tally late in the second period from Mark Scheifele on a goal that felt like the one that put things away.

Blackwood finished with 27 saves, again surrendering only two goals. He’s 8-2-1 since joining the Avs. In the three losses with Blackwood in net, Colorado has just two goals.

The two teams will meet again at Ball Arena on Jan. 22 in the fourth and final meeting before the playoffs.

Good: Connor Hellebuyck

There isn’t much else to break down from this game so let’s dive right into the good and bad. Hellebuyck deserves the honor as the highlight of the game.

It’s funny that this stat is a thing given how the playoff series went last year, but did you know Hellebuyck now has three consecutive regular-season shutouts against Colorado?

It started late last season in April, when the Jets came to Ball Arena and walloped the Avalanche 7-0 amid the playoff push for Central Division seeding. Hellebuyck stopped all 30 shots he faced. I remember that game serving as somewhat of a statement by Winnipeg in showing the Avalanche that they were ready for a potential playoff matchup. It ultimately didn’t serve that purpose, but it was still an impressive performance by the visiting team.

Hellebuyck was perfect again this past November — the first meeting between the two clubs since the postseason — and made 35 saves in a 1-0 Winnipeg victory.

He has traditionally been solid against Colorado throughout his career, boasting a 15-7-4 record with five shutouts and a .920 save percentage. Hellebuyck has won eight of the last nine meetings against the Avs.

Bad: Second-period results

There was no reason why the second period should’ve played out the way it did. Colorado entered the frame trailing 1-0 and, in the grand scheme of things, didn’t play a bad period. They had plenty of puck control, offensive zone time, and opportunities to make a play. But for whatever reason, they couldn’t execute.

The Avs ended with just five shots on goal in the period and the only forward shot came from Ross Colton. It’s already hard enough to beat Hellebuyck and it becomes tougher if you’re going to rely on five shots in such a vital part of the game.