WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets three day break is just about over but head coach Paul Maurice still wasn’t willing to reveal his starting goaltender for Thursday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“We know we’ve got some depth in our organization there and we needed it now with Ondrej’s (Pavelec) injury.” Maurice said.
A tough decision for the Jets head coach. Try and get Michael Hutchinson back on track who’s without a win in his last eight starts dating all the way back to October, or go with the hot hand in the rookie Connor Hellebuyck who has three wins in his first three NHL starts.
READ MORE: Connor Hellebuyck off to strong start with Winnipeg Jets
“Connor’s looked the way he did in training camp and his last year,” Maurice said. “Almost similar paths, really good American League years. Coming in, ready, sharp and playing well.”
“He’s having a great start,” Hutchinson said. “He’s making his own path and it’s exciting to see a goalie get an opportunity make the most of it. At the end of the day the biggest thing is helping this team get wins and get into the playoffs and he’s been able to come here and do that.”
The now injured Ondrej Pavelec was between the pipes when the Jets defeated the Blue Jackets 3-2 back in their first meeting of the season. And for a team littered with first year players, having more familiarity with an opponent can only be beneficial.
“I want try to remember how the defense is playing and what I can do to beat them,” Nikolaj Ehlers said. “It’s really important to play against teams more and more, get to know them for a new guy like me.”
And for the new guys not used to the daily NHL grind, the days off have been a welcomed opportunity to recharge the batteries.
“I felt in the second road trip we started to look a little bit fatigued,” Maurice said.
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