Connor Hellebuyck a no-brainer in net for USA

While the Canadian crease seems to be an area of uncertainty heading into the men’s hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the United States should have no doubt about who their goaltender will be when it matters. The Winnipeg Jets‘ Connor Hellebuyck is arguably the best goaltender in the world, with three Vezina Trophies and even a Hart Trophy under his belt at the age of 32.

The Commerce, Michigan native has faced criticism for coming up short in the playoffs, sporting a sub-.900 save percentage in each of the last three postseasons. Some may worry that Hellebuyck’s big-game scuffles could translate to the Olympics, but he was sterling in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, putting up a .932 SV% and a 1.59 goals-against average in three starts. The Unites States has quality second and third goaltenders in the Dallas Stars‘ Jake Oettinger and the Boston Bruins‘ Jeremy Swayman, but Hellebuyck stands alone as the American starter.

On Tuesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed why Hellebuyck should be the United States’ undisputed number-one goaltender.

Tyler Yaremchuk: I think people are talking about a U.S.A. goalie situation and having a conversation that I don’t think needs to be had. I think this is Connor Hellebuyck’s crease the whole way.

Carter Hutton: I think it is, too. I’ve kind of stood by that for a while, and yes this year hasn’t gone great for the Winnipeg Jets with Connor Hellebuyck missing time, but he’s been rock solid for the last, I don’t know how many years now. I remember playing against him, and it was like “We have to go up to Winnipeg, we’re going to lose 2-1 or 1-0.” He just doesn’t make any mistakes. And then you pair that with what they have in front of him, I think that bodes well. I wouldn’t be surprised if they see Oettinger for a game, if he gets out of a rhythm, but I think he would have to play very, very poorly to play himself out of the starter’s crease.

You can catch the full discussion and the rest of Tuesday’s episode here…