In Winnipeg Saturday, Connor Hellebuyck set an NHL mark with his 44th win of the season, the most by a US born goalie.
“I’m very excited about it,” said Hellebuyck, who made 30 saves. “To be in the history books is something that I’m always going to look back and be proud of. The fact that this locker room has come together, playing the way we’re playing, now the city is behind us the way they are, it’s a fun time being in Winnipeg.”
He earned the title with saves in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Jets were unable to overcome the Nashville Predators division lead and finished second in the Central.
Andrew Copp struck twice, and Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Connor added single markers in the win for Winnipeg.
Brent Seabrook scored the lone Chicago goal.
“It [stinks],” Seabrook said. “I’ve said a million times, I think it’s the best part of the season coming up here. To not be a part of it, not playing any meaningful games for us down the stretch, it’s been tough.”
The Jets painted the center ice circle to honor the losses suffered by the Humboldt Broncos Junior team in Friday’s bus crash that claimed 15 lives.
“It was very powerful. That connection all hockey players have together. They go through that, traveling as a team, being part of a team. So it was really emotional. You put 15 and a half thousand people in the building and you can hear a pin drop for as long as you can. I think the crowd sang the national anthem differently. It was a very fitting tribute,” Jets’ head coach Paul Maurice said.
[WATCH: All Blackhawks vs. Jets highlights]
Jeff Glass made 35 saves in the loss as the Hawks finished 33-39-10.
“The game was going well there until they acknowledged me [in the arena] and I’m not sure if that was [Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff] or if it was the Jets organization or what, but being born in Winnipeg and then hearing the ovation from the crowd, seeing the other team tap their sticks and clap their hands … that hit hard and I’m just thankful for it, grateful for it. It’s pretty special that I get a chance to do that,” Patrick Sharp said after what was likely his final NHL game in his career.
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