Jets-Devils showdown takes unexpected twist as starting goalie plans change
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Nico Daws appears set to start for the Winnipeg Jets against the Devils, with Connor Hellebuyck sitting out his return to Winnipeg tonight.
Nico Daws appears set to start in goal for the Winnipeg Jets tonight against the New Jersey Devils, the club that drafted him.
Warmups pointed his way, with Daws taking shots in the starter's net ahead of the 7:00 p.m. ET faceoff at Canada Life Centre.
A Trade That Sent Daws West
On Oct. 23, Winnipeg sent Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey for Daws, Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Daws, 25, was a 2020 third-round pick of the Devils and went 2-2-0 with a 2.78 goals-against average and .874 save percentage in four games for them this season.
His Jets stretch has been uneven so far.
He stopped 33 of 37 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Oct. 30, Winnipeg's eighth straight defeat.
The Jets have since won three in a row, including a 4-3 home win over Tampa Bay on Sunday, and sit at 7-8-3.
Hellebuyck Stays Out, Daws Steps In
The Devils announced after Sunday's shutout of Toronto that Hellebuyck will not play in his return to Winnipeg.
GM Sunny Mehta pointed to a reduction in win probability.
That leaves Daws and Mercer as the faces of the reunion, instead of the goalie the home crowd was ready to boo.
New Jersey arrives at 13-5-0 and has won five straight, so this is a stiff test for a goalie still searching for a steady rhythm.
A strong night from Daws would go a long way toward quieting the noise around a trade that both fan bases will keep judging all season.
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