You could say that Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is healthy.
Before the game, former Jets forward Patrik Laine joked that Hellebuyck must have had the “Patty Flu” because he has never played against him.
Well, Hellebuyck made 26 saves as Winnipeg defeated Laine’s Montreal Canadiens 4-2 before a sellout crowd of 15,225 fans at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.
“No flu tonight,” Hellebuyck said. “He had a lot of shots tonight. He’s a good shooter. But nothing for him.”
Laine had seven of Montreal’s 28 shots, but failed to score. So, was Hellebuyck motivated by his former teammate’s dig at him?
“I didn’t hear the comments, to be honest,” he said. “Until now.”
Laine declined a request for an interview after the game.
Hellebuyck stopped several of Laine’s one-timers from the slot.
“He has a great shot, obviously,” said Josh Morrissey, who assisted on two of the four Winnipeg goals. “Patty’s scored a lot of goals from that area …