Connor Hellebuyck was in top form in the gold medal game for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
He made 41 saves on 42 shots to stifle Canada, including a couple of the best saves he’s ever going to make on what seemed to be near-certain goals.
That brings Hellebuyck back to his NHL team, the Winnipeg Jets, in great spirits.
The Jets will need the best version of Hellebuyck to have any chance of chasing down a playoff spot in the stretch run. They aren’t entirely out of it, but they’ve got some work to do.
It starts Wednesday night in Vancouver against the Canucks.
Kyle Connor was already back with the Jets on Tuesday, but Hellebuyck was in Washington, D.C., where he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.
That puts Hellebuyck’s return status in doubt just from a logistical standpoint.
MORE: Maple Leafs have a very specific draft pick reason to tank
Is Connor Hellebuyck playing tonight?
No, Hellebuyck is not expected to play on Wednesday night in Vancouver.
Reports have indicated that Hellebuyck will meet the Jets in California, where they play the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. This might’ve been the plan all along.
In Hellebuyck’s place, Eric Comrie is expected to start for the Jets against the Canucks. Winnipeg should still be favored to win against the rebuilding Canucks, who are going to be trading away more top players before next week’s NHL trade deadline.
It sounds like Hellebuyck should be good to go for Friday.
