Hellebuyck becomes 7th goalie ever with 45 wins in a season
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck recorded his 45th victory of the season Thursday night against the Dallas Stars, becoming the seventh netminder ever to reach the mark.
Hellebuyck is the first to accomplish the feat since Braden Holtby in 2015-16. The legendary Martin Brodeur is the only goalie to do it twice.
| Goalie | Wins | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Braden Holtby (WSH) | 48 | 2015-16 |
| Martin Brodeur (NJ) | 48 | 2006-07 |
| Bernie Parent (PHI) | 47 | 1973-74 |
| Roberto Luongo (VAN) | 47 | 2006-07 |
| Evgeni Nabokov (SJ) | 46 | 2007-08 |
| Miikka Kiprusoff (CGY) | 45 | 2008-09 |
| Martin Brodeur (NJ) | 45 | 2009-10 |
| Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) | 45 | 2024-25 |
It's worth noting that wins became easier to come by with the introduction of the shootout in 2005-06, eliminating the chance of games ending in a tie.
Hellebuyck likely won't get a shot to match the single-season record, though. The NHL-leading Jets have just three games remaining, including back-to-back tilts Saturday and Sunday.
He reached the 45-win mark in style, though, making 25 saves in the 4-0 victory over Dallas for his eighth shutout of the campaign.
Hellebuyck is 45-12-3 with a .925 save percentage and 1.99 goals-against average. He's a near lock to win his second consecutive and third career Vezina Trophy, and he will also likely draw some Hart Trophy consideration.