Connor Hellebuyck will be the starting goaltender for the United States in their first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland. The decision comes as no surprise given Hellebuyck's outstanding performance this season.
Connor Hellebuyck is poised to take the ice as the starting goalie for the United States in their opening match of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland on Thursday night. USA Hockey confirmed the news on Wednesday, shortly after coach Mike Sullivan hinted at the decision. The choice comes as no surprise, considering Hellebuyck's stellar performance as the Winnipeg Jets' goaltender this season, placing him firmly on track to clinch his third Vezina Trophy as the NHL 's top goalie.
'He's very focused, he's very driven and obviously the results speak for themselves,' remarked U.S. forward Chris Kreider. 'He's just so fundamentally sound in net. There's not a lot to shoot at. When you think you have something, it gets taken away really quickly. All three of our goalies are incredible.' Leading up to the tournament, top center Jack Eichel acknowledged the abundance of talent in the U.S. goalkeeping ranks with Hellebuyck, Dallas Stars' Jake Oettinger, and Boston Bruins' Jeremy Swayman, calling it 'a good problem to have' for the coaches. Given Hellebuyck's recent dominance, the decision seemed clear-cut. Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk faced Hellebuyck and the Jets numerous times during the pandemic-induced all-Canadian division in the shortened 2021 season. He expresses a clear preference for playing alongside him for the U.S. rather than against him. 'They were never fun games when we had to play them,' Tkachuk said. 'He's just a rock star back there. He's an unbelievable player, and you can just tell how comfortable and confident he is.' Finland coach Antti Pennanen has announced Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators as his starting goalie, citing the 29-year-old's experience and tenacity. 'He's a really good goalie, and of course we have three good goalies and it wasn't an easy call,' Pennanen explained. 'But tomorrow we go with Juuse.'
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