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Summary
The New Jersey Devils' decision to sit Connor Hellebuyck for his return to Winnipeg didn't stop Jets fans from venting their frustrations at their former netminder during warmup Tuesday. The home crowd booed Hellebuyck the instant he stepped on the ice, setting the tone for an emotional 4-2 Winnipeg win. Quite the Winnipeg pop when Connor Hellebuyck steps on the ice for the first time as an opponent. https://t.co/knrp42H6Cw — Dave Minuk (@ICdave) November 10, 2026 Jets fans also scolded the three-time Vezina Trophy winner with creative chants and signs. “Coward” was this chant for Connor Hellebuyck as Winnipeg warms up https://t.co/AtfQo1EHXa — Dave Minuk (@ICdave) November 10, 2026 Jets fans are GIVING IT to Connor Hellebuyck in warmups https://t.co/NA2WmEarXl — World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) November 10, 2026 Jets fans continued to create a hostile environment for the visitors once the game started. Just TWENTY seconds in and #NHLJets fans have a boisterous, “Where is Connor?” chant on the go. https://t.co/5scd4myqSO — Carter Brooks (@CBrooksie84) November 11, 2026 "Not too often the building is rocking in warmup and right from the drop of the puck," Jets head coach Scott Arniel said postgame, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press . "I just really like the way guys recognized the two points were extremely important." The Jets outshot the Devils 25-21 and were sparked by Dawson Mercer 's two goals. The forward was part of Winnipeg's return in the Hellebuyck trade. The Devils announced Sunday that Hellebuyck wouldn't start Tuesday's game due to concerns that, given his recent workload, he "would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability." The goaltender said he would have preferred to play. The Jets poked fun at the Devils' viral statement after the victory. #NHLJets flash Devils win probability 0.0% on the scoreboard. https://t.co/EGe88AwvTC — Winnipeg Sports Talk (@SportsTalkWPG) November 11, 2026 Winnipeg dealt Hellebuyck to New Jersey in October, ending a lengthy stalemate that began when the goaltender requested a trade at the end of the 2025-26 season. In a media session Tuesday, Hellebuyck cited prioritizing his family as one of the reasons he asked out. Hellebuyck is off to a strong start with the Devils; he's won his first five starts and has posted a 1.96 GAA. Copyright © 2026 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.