Connor Hellebuyck will not start for New Jersey against Winnipeg on Tuesday, November 10, but he is expected to speak with reporters after the Devils’ morning skate at his request. NHL.com reported that general manager Sunny Mehta said the club weighed the decision and judged that starting Hellebuyck could lower its projected chance of winning. Jake Allen is expected to start instead.
Workload shaped the call
The decision followed Hellebuyck’s 23-save shutout against Toronto on Sunday, his first since joining New Jersey. Coach Sheldon Keefe cited the schedule: it was Hellebuyck’s third appearance in six nights, and the team wanted to avoid asking him to start four times in eight nights. Keefe also said the Devils had two games against Washington later in the week, according to NHL.com.
Hellebuyck said he wanted to play, telling NHL.com, “I was adamant that I want to play.” He also said he understood the club’s decision after hearing its reasoning. Through five games with New Jersey, he is 5-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage, NHL.com reported.
A return shaped by the trade
Tuesday’s game would be Hellebuyck’s first in Winnipeg since the Jets suspended him for not reporting to training camp following his trade request. Winnipeg traded him to New Jersey on October 23, after he waived his no-movement clause, according to NHL.com’s trade coverage. Hellebuyck spent 11 seasons with the Jets before the move.
