Hellebuyck's brilliance continues at 4 Nations

MONTREAL QC - If anyone questioned Connor Hellebuyck’s ability to elevate his game when games mean the most, that disappeared on Saturday night.

Before the epic showdown between Canada and the U.S., ESPN hockey host Steve Levy was asked about where he stood about Hellebuyck’s career.

“Uber talented obviously. Great player on a great team. Could be the best goalie in the world right now and all those things. But the playoffs are the bugaboo. I actually had this conversation with P.K. (Subban) and Mess (Mark Messier). P.K. wants to cancel his career and Mess is a little more patient,” said Levy.

“He said ‘Hey, I started with a guy named Grant Fuhr’ and he said ‘Fuhr did not have great success his first couple of postseasons’. So, this is not the Stanley Cup playoffs, but the lights are bright, everybody’s watching, and this was supposed to be the big advantage the Americans have over the Canadians.”

Jets fans might say that Subban is critical of Hellebuyck’s big game performances because it was the Jets who knocked Subban and the Nashville Predators out of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. However, goaltending was the advantage for the USA as Hellebuyck made 25 saves helping his team reach the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off with one game left against Sweden in the round-robin. He was simply better than Canada’s Jordan Binnington like he has been on many occasions when the Jets play the Blues as Central Division rivals.

Hellebuyck’s focus was solely on stopping the puck even when the crowd at the Bell Centre booed the American national anthem and wouldn’t discuss the topic afterwards.

He barely commented on the emotional start to the U.S. 3-1 win when the Tkachuk brothers Matthew and Brady dropped the gloves with Brandon Hagel and Sam Bennett, respectively. J.T. Miller joined the party when he went toe-to-toe with Colton Parayko. The roof almost blew off the arena as the crowd and anyone who was watching were mesmerized by the passion on display with the two rival nations.

“That was a great momentum boost, so much energy from that,” said Hellebuyck casually.

“We’re a team that cares and we’re showing that every single day. I just think that was a continuation of that.”

Even when the world’s best player, Connor McDavid beat Hellebuyck short side to give Canada a 1-0 lead, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner was unfazed. Considering how well, his teammates defended after that, you can understand why.

“We played right to our details, I think we’re coming together as a group,” said Hellebuyck.

“Everyone is chipping in every single way, blocking shots, letting me see pucks, clearing rebounds. It’s what you want.”

The turning point came in the second period with the game tied at one, Hellebuyck made three consecutive saves in a 27 second sequence which led to the game winning goal courtesy of Dylan Larkin.

“That’s just kind of how hockey goes. A team presses, you make a big save, you keep it calm down there,” Hellebuyck said.

“And then really transition goes back the other way because they were pressing so hard. You see a lot of goals like that, in a moment like that you just gotta make the save, you gotta be the guy that makes the save.”

After Dylan Larkin gave the Americans a 2-1 lead, Hellebuyck was his big, boring self and giving the Canadians nothing. After a while you could sense Canada’s frustrations about not being able to solve the Jets goaltender.

“Simple. Stop the puck, be calm, make plays,” said Hellebuyck.

“Be reliable. You just have to be reliable back there.”

But just how big was that win on a hostile building for USA Hockey?

“It’s huge. It was an away game. The crowd bought it,” said Hellebuyck.

“Now we get to go to the U.S. and hopefully our crowd brings it.”

Hellebuyck will be close to where he played his college hockey with the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks. The 31-year-old played 54 games and recorded a 38-12-2 record with a .946 save percentage and 1.60 goals against average.

“The old stomping grounds. You know, it’s fun, they have a great crowd there (at TD Garden) and this time it will be on our side,” said Hellebuyck.

“I think this is a unique tournament and I’m just taking it day-by-day really. So, I’m looking forward to the experience when I get there.”