Hellebuyck returns after trade to Devils with a win and one goal allowed
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 16 of 17 shots in his first game since joining the New Jersey Devils, who beat the Dallas Stars 5-1 in the NHL.
In a regular-season game of the National Hockey League (NHL) on Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils beat the Dallas Stars 5-1 (1-0, 3-1, 1-0). The game was notable for the return of goaltender Hellebuyck, the 33-year-old American, who stopped 16 of 17 shots.
Hellebuyck had not played since 13 April, when he was still with the Winnipeg Jets. He is a three-time winner of the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best goaltender of the season, and the 2025 winner of the Hart Trophy, given to the league's most valuable player. This summer he asked to be traded to another club, did not show up to the Jets' training camp and was suspended. Four days ago he was traded to the Devils.
In the trade, the Jets received forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, the rights to forward Aleksandr Kolmanov, as well as a second-round pick in the 2029 NHL draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft.
Only Justin Hrickovjan beat Hellebuyck, cutting the score to 3-1 in the 37th minute. For the winners, Nico Hischier scored twice, while Jesper Bratt-style single goals came from Jesper Boqvist, Luke Hughes and Jack Hughes.
It was the Devils' fourth straight win, and with 16 points from 12 games they sit third in the Eastern Conference. The Stars' five-game winning streak ended, and with 15 points they are sixth in the Western Conference.
Other NHL games
The Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens both won 2-0 on the road, against the San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues respectively. Sabres goaltender Colton Ellis stopped all 23 shots, with goals from Olen Zellweger and Zach Benson. Canadiens goaltender Jakob Fowler made 46 saves, a career high; Zack Bolduc and Florian Xhekaj scored.
In a duel between Eastern Conference leaders, the Carolina Hurricanes, the reigning champions, beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 at home. With 22 points from 14 games, the Hurricanes lead both the conference and the league, while the Bruins, with 19 points from 13 games, are second in the conference.
