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Edmonton Oilers: Connor Hellebuyck shines in game one

By Jim Lynch

May 19, 2021; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN;Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian (44) battles for a loose puck Winnipeg Jets defensemen Tucker Poolman (3) in front of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2021; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN;Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian (44) battles for a loose puck Winnipeg Jets defensemen Tucker Poolman (3) in front of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The worst-case scenario occurred Wednesday night during the Oilers Jets game.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets has been an MVP goalie in the past. He was the reigning Vezina Trophy winner from 2019-20 and he has been one of the league’s best goalies for many years. However, he struggled most against the Edmonton Oilers all season, which changed in game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hellebucyk posted a .97 save percentage on Wednesday stopping 32 of 33 shots on the night. The Oilers are going to have to be better against him in the future if they want to stand a chance in the series.

Edmonton posted 33 shots on goal last night, but not many of them were really high danger chances. This team is always looking to score the pretty highlight-reel goal. Those are fun to watch and take up the bulk of the highlight reel on the talk shows during the regular season, but this is the playoffs.

If you watched any of the Bruins Capitals game last night you know that the goals these teams scored were gutsy. They were in front of the blue paint whacking at the puck or getting a lucky bounce midway through the game. Edmonton might be used to the goals off of the rush, but this is not the time for that.

Sure, throughout the course of this best of seven series I am sure Edmonton is going to catch Winnipeg sleeping and get some breakouts that lead to goals, but for now it is all about cycling the puck in the offensive zone and getting shots on net that go through some traffic.

Hellebucyk is one of the best NHL goalies around, and he is going to make quick work of a lot of great shots. Trying to limit his vision and tip shots is going to be how the Oilers come away with this one.

Maybe some lineup changes will help save the Oilers season. Or should they just stay the course as game one was closer than the score reflected? One hot goalie has shut down the Oilers in the past, that cannot happen again.

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