CHICAGO — Connor Hellebuyck wasn’t about to let a controversial play get in the way of discussing his latest eye-popping stop.
The Winnipeg Jets goalie robbed Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin during the third period of Friday’s 5-4 overtime win, putting his paddle down to prevent a rebound tally after a shot from Denis Gurianov rattled off the post during a power play.
“This is the topic I was hoping we’d be talking about,” said Hellebuyck, who made 37 saves on Friday. “Yeah, so when that puck got passed across I had pushed to the post and he took his time with it so it bounced off the post. When he shot it, I knew I had that area covered and when I heard the post I knew it was going to be somewhere around the net. So, when I turned and looked and I saw a guy kind of leaning into it, I knew my only play was with the stick and I got a pretty strong right arm so I was able to stop it and pull it back.”
Veteran Jets forward Blake Wheeler, who passed Bryan Little on Friday to move into sole possession of top spot in Jets 2.0 franchise history for games played at 844, called it one of the best saves Hellebuyck has ever made.
Hellebuyck agrees with the assessment.
“No. 2,” said Hellebuyck. “I still think my glove save against Florida a few years back, or Tampa that was pretty good, too. But I’m gonna say that one’s No. 2. Sometimes it takes a little bit of a luck and you could say there was a little bit of luck there, but I earned it.”
Speaking of earning it, when the Jets (12-5-1) face the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday to close out a three-game road trip, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby is expected to start the game on a line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor.
That’s a significant promotion for a guy who was claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals heading into the season.
Jonsson-Fjallby chipped in his first assist of the season on Friday, tipping a point shot from Dylan DeMelo that ended up on the stick of Adam Lowry.
During the second half of the game, Jonsson-Fjallby replaced veteran Sam Gagner in the top six and showcased his speed and tenacity.
“We will take a look at it some more,” said Bowness. “Yes. He was skating well and we want… that’s a defence we want to put a lot of pressure on and Axel was doing that the whole game. It’s a game of good work there and he did the job we wanted him to do. He’s good at getting the puck in behind and putting the pressure on D and forcing turnovers.”
Bowness said that fourth line centre David Gustafsson took a maintenance day on Saturday and his status for the game against the Blackhawks likely falls into the game-time decision category.
After welcoming DeMelo back to the defence corps on Friday, there’s a possibility left-winger Morgan Barron could suit up on Sunday, as he worked in on the fourth line during Saturday’s practice.
But if Barron is ready to go after missing the past 10 games with a wrist injury that required surgery, the Jets would need to clear a roster spot, likely by assigning someone to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
Barron has one goal and four points in nine games with the Jets this season.
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