Former Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck faces boos on bench during return to Winnipeg

Connor Hellebuyck, who was traded from the Winnipeg Jets to the New Jersey Devils, served as a backup goaltender for the Devils on Tuesday against his former team. The Devils announced that analytics indicated a better chance of winning with another starter, so Hellebuyck was not in the starting lineup. Jets head coach Scott Arniel criticized the decision, saying, "He gave up on us. It would be nice to finally be done with this." Despite not starting, Hellebuyck participated in pre-game warm-ups, during which Jets fans expressed their displeasure with loud boos and signs directed at him. The Jets won the game 4-2, with two goals each from Kyle Connor and Dawson Mercer, the latter acquired from the Devils in the trade that sent Hellebuyck to New Jersey. Nico Daws, also part of that trade, made 19 saves for the winning effort.