Connor Hellebuyck, once the pillar of the Winnipeg Jets’ success this season, is now facing mounting criticism after a rough playoff stretch. In Game 4 of their second-round series against the Dallas Stars, the Jets fell 3–1 despite outplaying Dallas for long stretches. The loss pushed Winnipeg to the brink of elimination and turned the spotlight squarely on Hellebuyck.
Connor Hellebuyck Under Fire as Former Rangers Goalie Rips Jets Star’s Postseason Performance
Among the most vocal critics of Hellebuyck was former New York Rangers goalie Stephen Valiquette. Now a hockey analyst, Valiquette took to social media to call out Hellebuyck’s performance, attributing his struggles not to bad luck, but bad technique. “When Hellebuyck ends up on his ass like that, it’s not bad luck — it’s bad posture,” Valiquette posted. “On his heels instead of his toes.”
🥅 When Hellebuyck ends up on his ass like that, it’s not bad luck — it’s bad posture. On his heels instead of his toes.
— Stephen Valiquette (@VallysView)
The criticism didn’t end there. StatMuse Hockey pointed out that Hellebuyck’s road save percentage this postseason has dipped below .800—a historically low mark for a goalie with at least five road playoff games.
Hellebuyck led the league in regular-season wins, and the Jets were dominant on the road. But that success hasn’t translated into the playoffs. His current .851 save percentage ranks last among all playoff goalies. Winnipeg has yet to win a road game this postseason, and the frustration is building.
The series has become a showdown between two American goaltenders likely in the mix for the 2026 Olympics. But so far, Jake Oettinger has clearly outperformed Hellebuyck.
Connor Hellebuyck’s Playoff Struggles Draw Harsh Comparisons
TSN’s John Lu didn’t mince words after Game 4. “By my count, the Dallas fans serenaded Connor Hellebuyck with the ‘Otter’s better’ chant about six times tonight, after doing it four times in Game 3 on Sunday. That is not subjective, that is absolutely objective. Look at the shots on goal, look at the final scoreboard,” Lu stated.
Oettinger turned aside 31 shots and delivered in clutch moments. He denied Kyle Connor on two prime chances—once late in the second period and again early in the third. Both saves were followed by goals from Dallas’ Mikael Granlund, who completed a hat trick.
Meanwhile, Hellebuyck gave up three goals on 24 shots. Granlund’s first tally came on a long-range power-play effort that reportedly deflected, but was still considered stoppable. Hellebuyck admitted postgame that it was one he “should have had.”
The loss marked Hellebuyck’s ninth straight road playoff defeat—a staggering stat for a goalie of his caliber. The contrast between him and Oettinger has been stark, especially with Oettinger’s $66 million contract looking increasingly justified.
Still, the Jets don’t appear to be making a change in net. Game 5 will be played back in Winnipeg, and despite the mounting criticism, Hellebuyck remains locked in.
“I’m doing my best,” he told reporters [via NHL.com]. “Sometimes it’s a heartbreak, but all it takes is one little change, one little bounce and things can start going our way.”
With their season on the line, Winnipeg desperately needs the regular-season version of Hellebuyck to reappear. Whether he can bounce back remains to be seen.
