Connor Hellebuyck returned to the New Jersey Devils’ net for Friday’s meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights, taking another step in his transition from Winnipeg.
The matchup at T-Mobile Arena closed New Jersey’s three-game western road trip, with the Devils seeking a response after their four-game winning streak ended.
The Devils confirmed Hellebuyck’s selection before the game, according to Heavy’s report. It marked his second start since New Jersey acquired him on October 23.
Hellebuyck stopped 17 of 18 shots in Tuesday’s 5–1 win against Dallas, giving the Devils an encouraging first look at their new goaltender.
Jake Allen then started Wednesday’s 5–2 defeat in Colorado, making 40 saves as New Jersey allowed a season-high 45 shots against the Avalanche.
Those contrasting outings frame the challenge against Vegas: New Jersey needs to support its goaltending upgrade by limiting the volume and quality of opposing chances.
The Devils began Friday with an 8–5–0 record and 16 points. Vegas entered at 9–4–1 with 19 points after beating Ottawa on Tuesday.
That 4–1 victory ended a three-game Golden Knights skid. Adin Hill made 25 saves, while Raphael Lavoie scored his first NHL goal to break a third-period tie.
Special teams provide another potential turning point. New Jersey went 0-for-3 on the power play in both Dallas and Colorado during this road trip.
An earlier matchup breakdown listed Vegas’s power play at 25.6% and New Jersey’s penalty kill at 72.4%, highlighting the cost of avoidable penalties.
The Golden Knights’ attack includes Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner. Eichel entered with 20 points, ahead of Stone’s 16 and Marner’s 13.
Marner carried an eight-game point streak into Friday, collecting one goal and 10 assists during that stretch. His production adds another threat for Hellebuyck.
The teams split last season’s meetings: Vegas won 3–0 in New Jersey, while the Devils answered with a 2–1 shootout victory in Las Vegas.
Friday’s Nevada Day game began at 3 p.m. Pacific, or 6 p.m. Eastern. Coverage includes Scripps Sports, MSG Sportsnet and NHL Network in the United States.
The trade that brought Hellebuyck to New Jersey continues to reshape the Devils’ outlook. They return home next to face Edmonton on Tuesday, November 3.
