In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves to secure his fourth shutout of the season, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals on Monday night.
With this win, Hellebuyck’s record improved to 30-14-3, making him the fourth goalie this season to reach the 30-win milestone. This marked the fifth time in his career that he achieved this feat. The shutout also marked Hellebuyck’s 36th career shutout.
Goals from Neal Pionk, Alex Iafallo, and Kyle Connor propelled the Jets to victory. This victory came after a disappointing 5-0 shutout loss to Vancouver on Saturday, which coach Rick Bowness described as the worst game the team had played during his two-year tenure. Nonetheless, the Jets have managed to win eight of their last eleven games.
Charlie Lindgren, in goal for Washington, made 26 saves but couldn’t prevent his team from suffering their third loss in six games as they began a five-game road trip.
The arrival of new Jets players Tyler Toffoli and Colin Miller was warmly welcomed by fans, with both players receiving loud cheers when introduced by the rink announcer and shown on the Jumbotron. Toffoli joined Winnipeg’s second line alongside center Sean Monahan and left wing Iafallo, while Miller was paired with defenseman Dylan Samberg.
Winnipeg took an early lead, going 1-0 up after the first period and extending it to 2-0 by the end of the second. The Jets dominated in shots on goal, outshooting the Capitals 7-1 in the first five minutes and leading 12-5 by the end of the opening period.
Pionk scored his fifth goal of the season at 10:05 of the game, receiving a cross-ice pass from Mason Appleton to find the net.