Goalies often don’t get a lot love within the Hart Trophy race. However this season, along with nearly being a shoo-in for the Vezina Trophy, the Winnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck can be making a powerful case to win the Hart Trophy. There are two key questions. First, will he do sufficient to win essentially the most worthwhile participant on his crew? Second, will the voters contemplate his {qualifications}, despite the fact that he’s a goalie?
The Hart and the Vezina Are Awarded for Common-Season Play
For many who may not know, neither the Hart Trophy nor the Vezina Trophy takes into consideration postseason play. Each are awarded primarily based on regular-season efficiency solely. Voters award the Hart Trophy every season to the NHL participant thought-about essentially the most worthwhile to his crew in the course of the common season. The Skilled Hockey Writers’ Affiliation conducts the voting. Voters award the Vezina Trophy to the very best regular-season goalie. NHL common managers vote on it.
Playoff efficiency shouldn’t be an element within the choice of both award.
Does Hellebuyck Meet Each Standards?
On the floor, it might appear as if Hellebuyck meets each standards. As well as, maybe the larger query is whether or not Hellebuyck is making a case too robust to disregard. He registered 26 wins within the 33 video games he performed. That’s not simply taking part in nicely. That’s far past simply good. Can anybody actually argue that he’s not been the very best participant on his Winnipeg Jets crew?
With out Hellebuyck, the Jets wouldn’t be near the highest of the NHL standings. He’s performed 33 video games for the Jets. He’s earned a 25-6-2 document, a 2.08 goals-against-average, and a .926 save proportion. He has made 865 saves on 933 photographs confronted this season. He recently posted his 300th win. He’s been constant and has had an elite efficiency on the web.
He leads the league in wins, and his numbers are nice. His goals-against common and save proportion are presently the very best of his profession. He’s exhibiting up massive each single sport. He’s exhibiting the stuff of an NHL MVP? That has to earn him votes from each teams.
Can a Goalie Win Each the Hart and the Vezina?
Profitable the Vezina and the Hart in the identical season is an extended shot. However Hellebuyck’s season with the Jets isn’t simply good—it might be historic. The Jets depend on him greater than every other crew leans on their goalie, and he’s proving he can carry the load.
If he retains up his stable regular-season play and leads his Winnipeg crew to the postseason, voters should contemplate him for each trophies. It’s not nearly making saves—it’s about being the difference-maker. Proper now, Hellebuyck is exactly that. Put a checkmark subsequent to his identify in each the Hart and the Vezina trophy races.
Associated: No Different Goalie Is Near the Jets Connor Hellebuyck
