MILAN — Connor Hellebuyck has faced big moments in seven of the past eight NHL postseasons with the Winnipeg Jets, but none quite like this. The stakes are higher than ever as the Team USA goaltender prepares to face Canada in the gold medal game of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday.
While Hellebuyck has established himself as one of the NHL’s elite regular-season goaltenders – a three-time Vezina Trophy winner – his playoff performances have been a source of scrutiny. The Jets have failed to advance past the first round in four of those postseason runs and Hellebuyck has often shouldered a significant portion of the blame. His record in his last 10 road playoff games dating back to 2021 stands at a concerning 1-9, with a save percentage dipping to .872 in the postseason compared to his .917 during the regular season.
However, Hellebuyck appears to have found a new level of confidence and enjoyment in international play. After a frustrating Game 6 performance against the Blues last year, where he was pulled after allowing five goals on 23 shots, he’s been a standout performer for Team USA in Milan. Through five games, he stopped 90 of 95 shots faced, posting a .947 save percentage and a 1.23 goals-against average.
“Oh, all-time high,” Hellebuyck said with a rare smile after his 22-save performance against Slovakia on Friday night. “You know, I’m really enjoying this. This is fun. You don’t get to be part of this so much. I’m going to enjoy every second out here.”
Teammate Matthew Tkachuk echoed that sentiment, praising Hellebuyck’s calmness and the confidence he instills in the team. “He’s incredible,” Tkachuk said. “He’s been incredible year after year. And it seems like in this short tournament, even going back to last year at 4 Nations, he’s been a brick wall. He’s been awesome. He plays the puck very well. Seems like everything that’s hitting him, sticks. He’s so good. He’s so steady. Probably the greatest asset is just the confidence he gives us. We are very excited to have him behind us for the gold medal game.”
Hellebuyck’s success extends beyond the Olympics. He is one of only 13 goaltenders in NHL history to win three Vezina Trophies, placing him in esteemed company alongside Patrick Roy, Glenn Hall, and Tony Esposito. He is also one of just three goaltenders this century to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
This gold medal game presents Hellebuyck with a unique opportunity to rewrite his narrative. The United States has not won gold in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, and Canada holds a 4-1 record against the U.S. In Olympic tournaments featuring NHL players.
With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Hellebuyck has the chance to not only secure a gold medal but also to silence his critics and cement his legacy as a big-game performer. A victory on Sunday could finally eclipse the memories of past playoff disappointments and establish Hellebuyck as an American hero.
