Overview
- The Devils acquired Connor Hellebuyck on Oct. 23 in a multi-asset deal that ended his months-long trade request and suspension with the Winnipeg Jets.
- Hellebuyck has started twice for New Jersey and recorded wins in his Oct. 27 debut in Dallas and in a 5-2 road victory in Las Vegas on Friday.
- In the Nevada Day game, Arseny Gritsyuk and Jack Hughes each scored two goals, Luke Hughes added one, and Hellebuyck stopped 19 shots as the Devils controlled the final 40 minutes.
- New Jersey gave Winnipeg Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, the rights to prospect Alexander Command and two draft picks to acquire Hellebuyck because Devils goalies had posted an .876 save percentage before the trade.
- Hellebuyck brings Hart- and Vezina-caliber credentials and a long contract to a team seeking to stabilize its net, and the key questions now are whether he sustains this early form and how he changes New Jersey’s contention outlook as the Devils face tougher tests at home.