The New Jersey Devils will not start goaltender Connor Hellebuyck against his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, on Tuesday night in Winnipeg, a decision general manager Sunny Mehta attributed to a statistical calculation rather than rest or injury concerns.
“This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length,” Mehta said. “Connor Hellebuyck was adamant that he felt a duty to play on Tuesday in Winnipeg. However, in our estimation, playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.”
Mehta added that Hellebuyck, at his own request, will still hold a media availability following Tuesday’s morning skate at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, even though he won’t be in net that night.
The decision comes just two days after Hellebuyck made 23 saves in a 4-0 shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Jake Allen is expected to start in his place against Winnipeg.
Hellebuyck was traded from the Jets to the Devils last month in exchange for Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws and a 2029 second-round draft pick. Since joining New Jersey, he has not lost a game, posting a 1.96 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
Ahead of the trip to Winnipeg, Hellebuyck spoke about his feelings toward the city and the franchise that traded him.
“I know there’s a pretty sour taste in Winnipeg,” Hellebuyck said. “But I can only speak to my memories and my cherished moments in the city. I’ve loved every part of my career there. However I’m perceived, I’m going to choose love.”
New Jersey enters the game with a 13-5 record, sitting four points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the Metropolitan Division. Only the Boston Bruins have more points in the league than the Devils.
Mehta’s explanation drew swift skepticism from hockey fans and commentators, who questioned why a team would sit its best goaltender — fresh off a shutout and with no stated injury — over an internal probability model rather than let him play against the team that traded him.
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