MILAN — Having played between the pipes for the Winnipeg Jets in seven of the past eight NHL postseasons, goalie Connor Hellebuyck has seen his fair share of big moments.
Not the kind with a Stanley Cup on the line, but the ones that are a byproduct of circumstances.
The Jets have failed to make it out of the first round — or qualifier — in four of those aforementioned playoff runs, and Hellebuyck has assumed a significant portion of the blame as the franchise's longtime No. 1 netminder.
Hellebuyck has a shocking 1-9 record in his past 10 road playoff games dating back to 2021. His .917 save percentage from 2022 through this current NHL regular season leads the NHL, but it dropped to .872 in the postseason over that span.
Connor Hellebuyck saves the puck during the men's play-off semi-final ice hockey match between USA and Slovakia at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 20, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
One of the more recent lasting images of Hellebuyck is from Game 6 of the Jets' first-round playoff series against the Blues last year.
He had already been pulled in Game 4, and after giving up five goals on 23 shots across 40 minutes of play — including four goals in 5:23 — Hellebuyck was on the bench at the start of the third.
In the NHL, Hellebuyck hasn't been able to rise to the occasion.
Since rejoining international play, however, the Michigan native has left little doubt as to who the top American goaltender is. Team USA will need that to continue if it is going to top Canada for a gold medal Sunday.
Asked about his confidence level five games into his first Olympic tournament — during which he stopped 90 of the 95 shots he faced — Hellebuyck's usual stoic demeanor completely changed.
"Oh, all-time high," he said, cracking a smile for the first time in the scrum with reporters after his 22-save performance against Slovakia on Friday night. "You know, I'm really enjoying this. This is fun. You don't get to be part of this so much. I'm going to enjoy every second out here."
The 32-year-old is leading the Olympic tournament with a .947 save percentage and a 1.23 goals-against average. Up until this point, Hellebuyck has been sharp, steady and stingy.
After allowing a couple third-period goals to Slovakia in a blowout quarterfinal victory, Hellebuyck poked fun at himself, saying he "got a little bored in there, and it cost me a goal." It was indicative of just how light Hellebuyck looks and presumably feels going into this gold medal clash with Canada.
Slovakia's Adam Liska (23) battles with United States' Brock Faber, center, for the puck in front of United States goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period of a men's ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. AP
His USA teammates have lauded the calmness that exudes from Hellebuyck behind them.
That kind of presence is exactly what the U.S. men's hockey team will need to win this whole thing.
"He's incredible," Matthew Tkachuk said. "He's been incredible year after year. And it seems like in this short tournament, even going back to last year at 4 Nations, he's been a brick wall. He's been awesome. He plays the puck very well. Seems like everything that's hitting him, sticks. He's so good. He's so steady. Probably the greatest asset is just the confidence he gives us. We are very excited to have him behind us for the gold medal game."
Hellebuyck is one of just 13 goalies in NHL history with three Vezina trophies — tying him with the likes of Patrick Roy, Glenn Hall and Tony Esposito. Just eight goalies have won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player, and he is one of just three in this century.
It is Hellebuyck's playoff failures, however, that have dominated his story through his 11-year NHL career. This game has the magnitude to change the narrative.
It's been 46 years since the Miracle on Ice, the last time the Americans won gold in men's hockey.
Canada holds a 4-1 record against the United States in Olympic tournaments featuring NHL players. Team USA has never beaten the Canadians when it mattered.
Hellebuyck, as the last line of defense, has an opportunity to become an American hero.
Suddenly, the NHL playoff stage wouldn't look so big.
