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Jack Hughes was the overtime hero for the United States on Sunday, scoring the golden goal, but the Americans don't win gold without a brilliant performance by goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets star made 41 saves in the , allowing only a Cale Makar goal in the second period and holding strong when Canada controlled the puck for much of the second and third periods. That total set a record for most saves by a goaltender in a gold medal game involving NHL players. Hellebuyck made some terrific plays along the way, each of which was the difference between gold and silver. Here's a look at Hellebuyck's best saves from the USA's gold medal win, from a 5-on-3 penalty kill to an iconic paddle save. MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: | | Ranking Connor Hellebuyck's best saves in gold medal win 5. Save on Brad Marchand after McAvoy's heroics Charlie McAvoy had one of the best "saves" of the game when he somehow kept a shot from Tom Wilson out of the net, but Hellebuyck picked up the slack seconds later when Brad Marchand tried to score on the rebound. CHARLIE MCAVOY TO THE RESCUE. NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) Hellebuyck navigated through a sea of bodies to get in front of Marchand's shot and keep it out of the net, ending one of Canada's best chances on Sunday. MORE: 4. USA's 5-on-3 penalty kill The United States succe sfully killed a 5-on-3 in the second period, and it couldn't have been po sible without some heroics by Hellebuyck. The reigning Hart Trophy winner didn't let anything through during the 93 seconds of 5-on-3 play, nor did he allow a goal when it was a simple power-play for Canada. While Hellebuyck let up the goal to Makar later in the period, the 5-on-3 kill certainly seemed to build confidence for the Americans and ensured their penalty kill remained perfect in these Olympics. MORE: 3. Connor McDavid breakaway save For most of the world, a three-time NHL MVP with George Mikan Jersey a breakaway opportunity against the reigning MVP is the best Olympic hockey has to offer. For Americans, it was a terrifying sequence. Connor McDavid broke free for a clean shot on Hellebuyck in the second period, but the puck never made it into the net. Hellebuyck made the save, denying Canada its fist goal of the game and allowing USA fans to briefly exhale. CONNOR HELLEBUYCK COMES UP HUGE TO DENY MCDAVID. NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) McDavid would go on to be named MVP of the tournament, but like his 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy, it's not a win he can fully enjoy without a championship. MORE: 2. Macklin Celebrini breakaway save The second-most terrifying sight for American fans after a McDavid breakaway might be a Macklin Celebrini breakaway opportunity, as the 19-year-old was excellent in his Olympic debut. In the third period, he had a great chance to put Canada in front. Instead, Hellebuyck took Celebrini's shot right off the center of his body. Celebrini even had a chance to score on the rebound, but Hellebuyck recovered in time to deny that opportunity as well and keep the game tied. HELLEBUYCK STANDS TALL AGAIN TO KEEP IT TIED. NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) McDavid and Celebrini were two of Canada's most productive stars leading up to the gold medal game, but they were both held without a point on Sunday and finished a combined -3 in the lo s. MORE: 1. Paddle save on Devon Toews shot Hellebuyck can frame the still image of , as can every die-hard USA hockey fan. While it looked in real-time as though Devon Toews simply mi sed an open net for Canada, the replay showed how Hellebuyck put his stick between the puck and the net and actually deflected the shot. THAT WAS ONE HELLE-BUYCK OF A STOP. NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) The play was reminiscent of Braden Holtby's memorable save in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, and it kept the game tied as the puck wobbled past the net rather than into it for what would have been a go-ahead goal for Canada. Jared Dudley Jersey |
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