What Happened
The New Jersey Devils confirmed on Sunday that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will sit out Tuesday's matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. This decision comes despite Hellebuyck's anticipated return to the lineup. Winnipeg defenseman Kyle Connor reacted to the news, expressing that he did not anticipate the veteran netminder would be rested for this specific game.
Kyle Connor said he 'didn't even think it was a possibility' that Hellebuyck would not play.
Key Details
- New Jersey Devils confirmed Hellebuyck will not start Tuesday's game.
- The opponent for the scheduled return game is the Winnipeg Jets.
- Kyle Connor stated he did not think Hellebuyck sitting out was a possibility.
- The confirmation was made by the Devils on Sunday.
What It Means
The decision to rest Hellebuyck for his return game against the Jets suggests the Devils are managing his workload carefully or addressing underlying health concerns not yet fully disclosed. It alters the goaltending plans for the upcoming Tuesday matchup, potentially impacting the team's defensive strategy against a top-tier opponent.
What's Next
The New Jersey Devils will need to name a backup goaltender for Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets. Further updates on Hellebuyck's status or timeline for his next appearance may follow after the game.