The New Jersey Devils are unsurprisingly facing plenty of backlash for their controversial decision to not start Connor Hellebuyck in his return to Winnipeg for Tuesday's game versus the Jets.
Among the reasons for the uproar is the Devils' rationale. General manager Sunny Mehta said in a team statement late Sunday that if Hellebuyck were to suit up Tuesday, he'd "potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability."
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner is undefeated in five starts this season, owns a .913 save percentage, and is coming off a shutout Sunday. Meanwhile, Tuesday's projected starter, Jake Allen, owns an .881 save percentage in nine starts this season.
But it's not just the Devils who are receiving flak, as Hellebuyck has also been ridiculed on social media. Although Hellebuyck said he wanted to play Tuesday, he claimed the decision is out of his hands. However, the internet isn't buying it.
Hellebuyck contesting “the teams” decision pic.twitter.com/YX5osWsoxs https://t.co/Wjp7URQVlM
— ✪ (@Petey4Hart) November 9, 2026
The Devils could have claimed Connor Hellebuyck got diarrhea from eating expired chili from a dumpster behind Wendy’s and that would’ve been less embarrassing than missing the Jets game because his playing could “potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.” https://t.co/nJILDSjBa4
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) November 9, 2026
I’m not gonna play in Winnipeg ever, not even if there’s a fire. #GoJetsGo #NJDevils - Connor Hellebuyck probably https://t.co/LGd9fNQRr6
— Phil Lallier (@plal) November 9, 2026
You can’t make this shit up… They don’t think he can beat the team he thinks can’t win? Comedy gold.
— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) November 9, 2026
I actually get the point but good god who wrote this? It's almost incoherent. An AI Slop Generator would self-unplug in shame
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) November 9, 2026
Conner Hellebuyck when asked if he wanted to start in Winnipeg pic.twitter.com/oiWB3pYJIl
— ItzSwazy (@shawndenks95) November 9, 2026
This might make a little more sense if Jake Allen, who is very capable , doesn't have 11 losses against the Jets in regulation… The most of any team in the league for him #notreallyanalytics
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferraro21) November 9, 2026
Hellebuyck retuning to Winnipeg pic.twitter.com/XptklOrq2d
— The Sens Sense (@TheSensSense) November 9, 2026
Devils consulting the model that told them not to play Hellebuyck https://t.co/zXJCPuB60E
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) November 9, 2026
How would Hellebuyck playing against the Jets give you less chance to win? You saying he can’t handle the heat? Yikes
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) November 9, 2026
Connor Hellebuyck if Jake Allen gets hurt in warmups Tuesday night https://t.co/NiXaA4QT7l
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) November 9, 2026
The obvious solution here is to score 6 goals on Jake Allen in the first period so they have no choice but to play him
— Lyss 📈 (@lysshoude) November 9, 2026
how the devils analytics department sees jake allen vs winnipeg https://t.co/QkMW7oNQku
— #BeckByke (@1VANDEMIDOV) November 9, 2026
Tavares had shirts and snakes thrown at him while getting verbally destroyed all night… he didn’t bitch about it once. Watching the Tkachuk’s cry about OTT, this shit from Hellebuyck… think if there’s one thing we can respect 91 for is taking it on the chin in 2019. #Isles
— Isles Den (@IslesDen) November 9, 2026
This is what Sunny Mehta’s expected win probability chart said Connor Hellebuyck would look like playing in Winnipeg https://t.co/jVQCEyJa6R
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) November 9, 2026
One time I disconnected my WiFi during a group presentation bc I didn’t do my part and didn’t want to look ill prepared The Hellebuyck situation feels eerily similar https://t.co/AOcN6UgmS1
— Matty Jack (@Matty__jack) November 9, 2026
Hellebuyck went public with his trade request in August after privately asking out several months earlier. He spent 11 seasons with the Jets before being shipped to the Devils in October. Tuesday marks New Jersey's only trip to Winnipeg this season.
