Users erupted on social media after the St. Louis Blues leveled the playoff series in another rough game for Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. After giving up five goals, the Vezina Trophy candidate was pulled from the game for the second time in the series on Sunday, April 27. The Western Conference first-round playoff series between St. Louis and Winnipeg is now tied 2-2.
Fans Blast Connor Hellebuyck for Jets’ 5–1 Loss to Blues in Game 4
Netminder Hellebuyck became the night’s chief villain as hockey fans quickly reacted to the Jets’ posting the final score of Game 4 on X.
Final.https://t.co/ZQ5ldRppsL | #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/ptwS7gBBhJ
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 27, 2025
Some fans, incensed at the loss, called Hellebuyck a “fraud.”
Your goalie a fraud
— Cezun (@Cezun_) April 27, 2025
“Pulled in 2 straight and let up 12 goals, Vezina though, right?” another user posted.
“The St. Louis (team that doesn’t belong) Blues just chased your goalie of the year in back-to-back games. Hopeful Arniel goes back to him in Game 5 so we can clinch it at home next weekend,” another said.
Other fans poked fun at the Jets winning the Presidents’ Trophy this season.
“What is everyone upset about? The president’s trophy is the only trophy that matters, right?” A comment read.
A section of Jets fans stayed optimistic, pointing out that the series was only tied, not over yet.
It’s tied so what, Jets will wake up and win this series, go Jets go!
— Darren Sugar (@DarrenS79) April 27, 2025
Blues Chase Hellebuyck off the Ice in Game 4
Hellebuyck gave up five goals on 18 shots before being benched in the second period. For the Blues, Jake Neighbours had a goal and two assists, Brayden Schenn added a goal and an assist, and goalie Jordan Binnington made 30 saves.
Kyle Connor scored Winnipeg’s only goal of the night and gave his team a 1-0 lead at 13:58 of the first period. Neighbours tied the score at 19:37 with his first-ever playoff goal. The Blues scored three more times in the second period and once in the third to seal an emphatic win.
Sunday’s win comes straight after the Blues’ 7-2 victory on Thursday, April 24. Hellebuyck was also benched in Game 3 after he allowed six goals on 25 shots.
“I just thought that the attitude we had, we started the other two games really well, and what I liked was the fierce, competitive nature in our attitude for 60 minutes (on Thursday),” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said via NHL.com. “The start was incredible. We were aggressive, we did the things we wanted to do to make sure that we were going to get more scoring chances, and we did get more scoring chances.”
Game 5 of the series will be played at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.