The Winnipeg Jets thought a fresh face between the pipes could be a difference-maker going into the third period on Sunday.
In a shock move, the Jets opted to replace No. 1 goalie Connor Hellebuyck with Laurent Brossoit after the former allowed four goals on 30 shots in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. The Jets were down 4-1 at the start of the third.
Hellebuyck gave up three goals in the second period, including one in the final minute of the frame to Colorado’s Valeri Nichushkin.
It hasn’t been a great playoff run for the Vezina Trophy favourite, as he’s allowed at least four goals in every game of this series — including six in the high-scoring Game 1 Jets win.
Hellebuyck was stellar in the regular season, finishing with a 37-19-4 record while putting up a .921 save percentage and allowing only 2.39 goals per game.
Coming into Game 4 against the Avalanche, Hellebuyck had a .871 save percentage and 5.05 goals-against average in this post-season.
