Nov 9, 2026 4:28 AM
The New Jersey Devils announced on Sunday night that Connor Hellebuyck won't start the Tuesday night game against the Winnipeg Jets. The game was billed as his much-awaited return to Winnipeg.
The New Jersey Devils announced on Sunday night that Connor Hellebuyck won't start the Nov. 10 game against the Winnipeg Jets. The news comes shortly after a 4-0 Devils victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, a game Hellebuyck started and earned a 23-save shutout, his first with the team.
Hellebuyck, who won three Vezina Trophies and the 2025 Hart Trophy with the Jets, wanted to start the game and make his much-anticipated return to Winnipeg. "I'm disappointed, but I understand," Hellebuyck stated after the game against the Maple Leafs. "Selfishly, I want to play, but when you look at what's best for the team, I understand where they are coming from," he added.
The decision to start Jake Allen, instead of Hellebuyck, came from the front office and general manager Sunny Mehta, along with the coaching staff. "From our end of it, he's playing his third game in six nights; he's been at this for less than two weeks, and then after we finish this road game against Winnipeg, we go ...