Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets host the Blues in Game 7 of their 1st-round NHL playoff series

Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets return home for a chance to flip the script on their recent playoff disappointments and the demons that have followed them into this spring.

The best-in-the-NHL-regular-season Jets host the Western Conference eighth-seeded St. Louis Blues in Game 7 of their back-and-forth series on Sunday night. It's the final game of the first round, which Winnipeg has been knocked out in the previous two years and is in danger of happening again, with Hellebuyck again squarely in the spotlight after getting chased in all three of his team's defeats.

“A one-game showdown: That’s what it is, not just Connor,” coach Scott Arniel said after losing Game 6 in St. Louis 5-2 on Friday. "It’s what we do as a group. ... And you know what, I have a lot of confidence in our group, not just Helly. I have a lot of confidence in our group. You win one hockey game, you move onto the next round.”

Hellebuyck, likely the Vezina Trophy winner as the league's top goaltender for a second consecutive season and third time in his career and a finalist for the Hart as MVP, has a 4.42 goals-against average and an .815 save percentage. He had some of the best numbers in the NHL in those categories during the regular season, 2.00 and .925.

The home/road difference has been stark. Hellebuyck and the Jets are 3-0 in the provincial capital of Manitoba, and he has allowed 2.33 goals a game with an .879 save percentage. South of the U.S.-Canada border in St. Louis, he's allowing 7.24 a game with a .758 save percentage.

The good news for the Jets is they earned home ice in Game 7 with their stellar regular season, during which Hellebuyck was a big reason they finished atop the standings.

“I don’t need to talk about Bucky — Bucky has been phenomenal for us all year, and he’s continued to do that,” said forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who returned from injury to play in Game 6. “We’ve got to be better. We know when we play the right way, play well, making the right reads, we are a really good team, and we’ve shown that in this series.”

The Blues have also shown they can hang with Winnipeg, outscoring them 24-17 by winning in blowouts and losing close. None of that matters if they lose another tight one on the road.

“It’s what we’ve all dreamed of in that organization, in that locker room together,” said coach Jim Montgomery, whose arrival in late November fresh off being fired by Boston paved the way for the team's turnaround. “It’s about us seizing an opportunity. It’s an opportunity that we’ve earned, and now we have to go seize it.”

Their goalie also has big-game experience — including recently against Hellebuyck on a gigantic stage. Jordan Binnington was brilliant in helping Canada beat Hellebuyck in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and his performance in his last Game 7, in the final in 2019, delivered St. Louis its first Stanley Cup title.

“He’s our guy, he’s a special human and he gets up for big moments,” captain Brayden Schenn said.

Outside of the net, the Blues are led in scoring by Cam Fowler, who has already set the franchise record for points in a series by a defenseman with 10. Fowler, who has been a perfect fit since joining in a trade from Anaheim in December, thinks he and his teammates understand what they need to do to spring the series upset.

“We know the situation we’re walking into, the team we’re playing against, the season they had, and they play really well on home ice,” Fowler said. "Game 7, it’s a great opportunity for both teams, so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

AP freelance David Solomon in St. Louis contributed to this report.

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Winnipeg Jets center Dominic Toninato, left, and right wing Nino Niederreiter, right, get physical with St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, center, during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington defends the net against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Blues left wing Jake Neighbours, second from right, gets physical with Winnipeg Jets center Dominic Toninato, right, during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Blues defenseman Cam Fowler (17) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff L)

St. Louis Blues left wing Jake Neighbours (63) attempts a screen as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

St. Louis Blues fans react as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) looks on during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama left Wednesday night's rematch with the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter after suffering an apparent left leg injury, but returned to the bench in time to see the Spurs win 134-132.

Wembanyama took to the court after the game to gleefully lead the newest Spurs tradition that he created — having the crowd clap their hands after each bang of the drum by the 7-foot-4 center, who finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Wembanyama went to the locker room with just under 11 minutes remaining, but returned to the Spurs bench with 1:22 left in the game. He was alone and walking without a limp when he returned.

It was a welcome sight for the Spurs after some tense minutes.

Wembanyama leaped to gather an offensive rebound over Knicks enter Karl-Anthony Towns with 10:32 left in the game and lost possession when he landed. Replays showed there was no contact, but Wembanyama’s left foot slid forward and his knee appeared to hyperextend.

Wembanyama remained on the court while New York went on offense. Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk intentionally committed a foul so the Spurs could check on Wembanyama. Spurs guards Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox helped Wembanyama get up before he hobbled straight to the locker room unassisted.

Wembanyama was heard yelling “I'll be back" several times to the fans as he ran through the tunnel toward the locker room while emphatically throwing his hands down.

San Antonio trainers, doctors and general manager Brian Wright followed Wembanyama to the locker room.

The Knicks had beat the Spurs 124-113 on Dec. 16 to win the NBA Cup.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) goes to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, is fouled as he drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) and Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, tangles with New York Knicks players Mohamed Diawara and OG Anunoby during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)