Connor Hellebuyck's playoff choking has already cost him big time.

Winnipeg Jets star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck entered the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs with a lot to prove. In spite of his success in the regular season, Hellebuyck had developed a reputation for vanishing during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Unfortunately for both Hellebuyck and the Jets, the veteran netminder has all but cemented that reputation in the opening round with what has been inarguably by far the worst performance of any goaltender in these Stanley Cup playoffs. I covered just how bad some of the numbers look earlier this weekend, and needless to say those numbers paint a truly ugly picture.

While Hellebuyck's performance in goal could very well end up costing his team the series, the unfortunate reality for Hellebuyck is that he may have already lost the opportunity of a lifetime as a result of his inability to deliver in big game situations.

On Saturday night, National Hockey League insider Frank Seravalli revealed his belief that Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger has usurped Hellebuyck as the favorite to lead Team USA during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, pointing to Oettinger's ability to always deliver in big games as a key factor. Over his career Oettinger has appeared in a total of 4 Game 7 scenarios and boasts a 3-1 record and a very impressive .950 save percentage over those 4 games.

It's hard not to immediately notice the contrast to Hellebuyck who unfortunately appears to choke in big games more often than not, and now it would seem that Team USA may very well have taken notice as well.

Hellebuyck has never had the opportunity to represent his country at the Winter Olympic Games and unfortunately his poor play in these Stanley Cup playoffs may have robbed him of the one chance he had to do so.