Connor Hellebuyck, a highly decorated NHL goaltender with three Vezina Trophies and one Hart Trophy, is performing exceptionally well at the Winter Olympics, leading in save percentage (.952) and goals-against average (1.00) in the preliminary rounds. This strong showing is crucial as he aims to shed a "big-game failure" reputation stemming from his NHL playoff struggles. Despite his regular-season dominance, where he has saved 122 more goals than expected over the last three full seasons, his playoff save percentage has dropped significantly to .872 over the same period, leading to scrutiny and the Winnipeg Jets winning only one series. He holds a 1-9 record in his past 10 road playoff games since 2021 and was pulled from multiple games in a recent playoff series. Hellebuyck, described as a serious and intensely competitive individual who finds "fun" in the pursuit of perfection, is reportedly enjoying the Olympic experience. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan and captain Auston Matthews have expressed confidence in his calm and steady presence in net. Hellebuyck recently recovered from arthroscopic surgery that caused him to miss 12 NHL games, stating he feels "99 percent" healthy. With the tournament entering the knockout stage, an Olympic gold medal could be a legacy-defining moment, potentially rewriting the narrative around his ability to perform under the highest stakes.