Tuesday, April 30, 2024
-It’s a must-win for the Winnipeg Jets tonight when they host the Avalanche. They trail Colorado 3-games-to-1 in their best-of-7 first round playoff series. Meanwhile, it’s uncertain if Winnipeg forward Vladislav Namestnikov will play tonight. He suffered a fractured cheekbone in Game 4 after a puck hit him in the face, and defenseman Brenden Dillon is out due to a cut hand.
-Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender. It’s his 4th nomination overall, including his previous win in 2019-20. He finished top-five among NHL goaltenders in wins (2nd: 37), shutouts (T-5th: 5), save percentage (2nd: .921), goals-against average (4th: 2.39), games played (3rd: 60), shots against (2nd: 1,798), saves (2nd: 1,656) and minutes (3rd: 3,567). Hellebuyck also won the Williams Jennings Trophy as the goaltender (min. 25 GP) on a team who allowed the fewest regular season goals.
-In the NHL last night – the Florida Panthers eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 6-1 win to take their series 4-games-to-1 – and the Dallas Stars doubled the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 to tie their series at two. Also in action tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Bruins – Boston leads the series 3-1, the Hurricanes host the Islanders – Carolina leads 3-1, and the Canucks host the Predators – Vancouver is up 3-1.
-and Canada will play its final preliminary round game today against Kazakhstan at the World U18 Hockey Championship in Finland. Team Canada is 3-and-0 and has clinched first place in Group B.
