Connor Hellebuyck stifled one of the most dangerous attacks in the NHL in the season opener for his Winnipeg Jets. On Friday, the goaltender will seek to stay hot against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks.
Hellebuyck, who has earned the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie twice in the past five seasons, stopped all 30 shots he faced Wednesday in Edmonton. The effort added up to a 6-0 victory against the defending Western Conference champion Oilers, although Hellebuyck deflected much of the credit.
“I just thought the guys in front of me were just keeping everything outside, allowing me to see pucks, allowing me to feel it, clearing rebounds, clearing lanes,” he said. “They made my night really easy. Once in a while I made a big save, which allowed me to feel like part of the team.”
Mason Appleton sparked Winnipeg with a goal and two assists while Adam Lowry and Mark Scheifele contributed a goal and assist each.
The Jets solved Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner often, beating him for five goals in just over a period and a half. Winnipeg cruised from there, earning a victory in coach Scott Arniel’s team debut.
A former head coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Arniel spent the past two seasons as associate head coach in Winnipeg and assumed the head job after Rick Bowness retired.
“To get the first win of the season right away, it’s a good feeling and we’re going to look to build on that,” Lowry said.
Chicago struggled to overcome rough beginnings in Tuesday’s season opener, losing 5-2 to the host Utah Hockey Club in the franchise’s debut.
Utah led 3-0 before Teuvo Teravainen tallied the Blackhawks’ first goal late in the second period. Nick Foligno scored 4:48 into the third period but Chicago could not get over the hump.
Foligno, the Blackhawks’ captain, felt Chicago “took over” after a lackluster first period in which the team generated just three shots on goal. The final 40 minutes were different.
“I thought we carried the play and deserved to equalize the game,” Foligno said.
The goal Friday and moving forward for Chicago is simple — begin games with a greater purpose and strive to maintain momentum throughout.
“It’s an area we need to address,” Foligno said. “We just need to make sure we start right.”
Connor Bedard, the reigning Calder Trophy recipient as the NHL’s top rookie, assisted on both Chicago goals.
On the blue line, rookie defenseman Nolan Allan played strong in the first 10:26 of ice time in his career. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson appears confident in Allan’s ability to transition to the NHL.
“He just looks really calm out there,” Davidson said. “One of the things with Nolan is he plays a calm, solid game, and he’s continued to grow that. With his game, he plays within himself. He doesn’t try to do too much; he doesn’t beat himself.
“That’s a great trait for a defenseman.”
Winnipeg went 3-1 against Chicago last season. Three of the games between the Central Division rivals were decided by one goal, with two decided in overtime.
–Field Level Media