Jets react to Connor Hellebuyck choking in Game 6.

The Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues are headed for a 7th and deciding game in their opening round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs and the biggest story in this series has unquestionably been the play of Jets star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck has been nothing short of abysmal in this series and that was again the case on Friday night when, for the third time in six games, Hellebuyck was yanked from the net after giving up several questionable goals in quick succession. This is of course a major source of concern for the Jets heading into Game 7, but following another ugly performance from Hellebuyck in Game 6 the Jets did their best to downplay just how bad this situation has become.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel blamed the rest of the team when he was asked about another poor performance from his star goaltender during Arniel's post-game media availability.

"This is not about Connor, tonight was not about Connor," said Arniel. "Tonight we imploded in front of him."

The sentiment from Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers was a similar one, with the Jets refusing to acknowledge what everyone else seems to be painfully aware of.

"I don’t need to talk about Bucky," said Ehlers in his post game comments. "He’s been unbelievable for us all year. He’s continued to do that. We’ve got to be better."

Unfortunately for Hellebuyck and the Jets the numbers don't lie, and in the case of Hellebuyck in the playoffs the numbers have been truly atrocious. 

The Jets seem to be intent on ignoring the elephant in the room which suggests to me that they will unequivocally be going back to Hellebuyck in Game 7, a move I can hardly blame them for. That being said if Hellebuyck falters again in Game 7, he may cement his reputation as a playoff choker for good.