Connor Hellebuyck made a triumphant return to the NHL on Tuesday night, debuting for the New Jersey Devils in a 5‑1 victory over the Dallas Stars. The 33‑year‑old, a three‑time Vezina Trophy winner, had not played since April 13, when the Winnipeg Jets fell 6‑2 to Vegas.
First game back, first win
Standing in front of the net during the national anthem, Hellebuyck thought, “Finally!” and delivered a performance that reminded fans why he is among the league’s elite. He stopped 16 of 17 shots, posting a .941 save percentage for the night, and helped the Devils secure a comfortable multigoal lead for most of the game.
“It was a lot of fun,” Hellebuyck said after the game. “The guys in front of me just played a perfect game for me to get acclimated. Not a lot of shots, blocking everything, keeping everything to the outside. Letting me see things. Letting me touch the puck a lot.”
Coach and teammates praise his form
Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe was impressed. “He was exceptional,” Keefe said. “Not only does it seem like he’s in mid‑season form, but it seems like he’s been here a long time.” The coach highlighted Hellebuyck’s poise and the defensive support that allowed him to settle quickly.
Teammate Jack Hughes, who lost a tooth during the game and finished wearing a protective bubble on his helmet, also praised Hellebuyck’s impact. “We’ve got to stop doing that,” Hellebuyck joked, referring to the incident.
Career highlights and contract details
Hellebuyck spent 11 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, including a Presidents’ Trophy‑winning campaign in 2024‑25, and helped the United States capture gold at the Milan‑Cortina Olympics earlier this year. He is a fifth‑round pick from 2012 and ranks fifth among U.S.-born goaltenders with at least 345 career wins. Going into Tuesday, his .916 career save percentage placed him fourth among U.S.-born goalies with 300 or more starts, and his 2.58 goals‑against average ranked sixth.
He remains under a seven‑year contract worth $8.5 million per year, with five seasons left on the deal. Hellebuyck said the transition back to the ice was smooth, noting, “I’ve been doing this for a while. They played so good in front of me that I was never really worried.”
Facing familiar foes
The Devils entered the game with a 14‑12‑0 record against Dallas, a Central Division rival of Hellebuyck’s former team. While the ice felt familiar, Hellebuyck admitted the heat was a challenge. “I like the ice, but one hard part is it’s hot. I sweat a lot in this game. But it’s all part of the adjustment, and it’s good to get one under me,” he said.
Overall, Hellebuyck’s return adds stability to New Jersey’s net and gives the team confidence heading into the latter part of the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how his veteran presence influences the Devils’ playoff push.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
