Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 21 shots but it was enough to be the Senators last Saturday. Hellebuyck has picked up where he left off in 2020, opening the season at 3-1-0 with a 2.25 GAA and .920 SV% through four games. On Tuesday he'll face a high-powered Oilers offence, who he was 2-1-0 with a 1.65 GAA, .943 SV% and one shutout against in 2020.
DeMelo has missed the first four games of the season to be with his wife for the birth of their child but is expected to make his season debut when the Jets return home on Saturday.
Hellebuyck stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Jets loss in Toronto on Monday. Hellebuyck stood tall but the offence fell flat, leading to his first loss of the 2021 campaign. Hellebuyck has been strong early on, stopping 58 of the 63 shots (.921 SV%) that he's faced and is a must-start with a great matchup tonight in Ottawa.
Vesalainen sat as a healthy scratch in the first three games of the season but will draw into the lineup on Thursday. Head coach Paul Maurice did not disclose who Vesalainen will replace but he comes in with one assist in five career NHL games.
The Sharks are looking for more production out of their bottom-6, so they will shake up all four lines, which includes Dylan Gambrell replacing Gregor in the lineup.
Hellebuyck gave up three goals on 26 shots in the Jets' overtime win over the Flames last Thursday. The Jets had a long break between their first and second game, so Hellebuyck could see three or four starts during the Jets' five-game week. In two starts vs. the Maple Leafs in 2020, Hellebuyck surrendered eight goals on 45 shots (.822 SV%).
DeMelo did not travel to Toronto, so he will miss at least Monday's game and could miss the entire three-game road-trip. DeMelo is staying in Winnipeg to be with his wife for the birth of their child.
Hellebuyck is one of the few workhorses remaining in the NHL and his heavy workload will begin tonight vs. the Flames. Hellebuyck has won 30-plus games in three straight seasons and is coming off of a Vezina Trophy winning season, posting a 2.57 GAA, .922 SV% and six shutouts. In the Jets and Flames qualifying round matchup, Hellebuyck struggled with a 3.04 GAA and .904 SV%. He'll be looking for revenge on Thursday.
Hellebuyck is one of the few workhorses remaining in the NHL and his heavy workload will begin tonight vs. the Flames. Hellebuyck has won 30-plus games in three straight seasons and is coming off of a Vezina Trophy winning season, posting a 2.57 GAA, .922 SV% and six shutouts. In the Jets and Flames qualifying round matchup, Hellebuyck struggled with a 3.04 GAA and .904 SV%. He'll be looking for revenge on Thursday.
Toews is out with a medical issue with no timetable for his return. Moving him to LTIR means he will miss at least 24-days but he wasn't necessarily expected to return before that anyway.
DeMelo and his wife just had a baby so he will not play Thursday vs. the Flames. With DeMelo sidelined, Sami Niku will draw into the lineup.
In a statement, Toews said that he's been experiencing symptoms that have left him feeling "drained and lethargic." He is working with doctors to get a better understanding of his condition and will not join the Blackhawks until he "can get [his] health back to a place where feel [he] can perform at an elite level and help [his] team."
DeMelo was set to become a UFA on Friday but the Jets have locked him up through the 2024 season at $3.0M. This is a fair price for a defenseman, who is a pretty good offensive play driver who is also rock solid in his own end. DeMelo had 10 assists, 105 hits and 77 blocked shots in 59 games between the Senators and Jets last season.
