In September, I couldn’t have told you which Winnipeg Jets goalie would be the starter I’d be writing about in December. With Connor Hellebuyck’s struggles last season and the arrival of veteran Steve Mason, I expected an open competition for the crease, which might not get resolved all season.



A strong start by Hellebuyck and an unfortunate early injury to Mason has settled the matter at least for now. Hellebuyck has seized the crease in impressive fashion, with his .920 all-situation and .932 5-on-5 save percentages ranking him eighth among goalies who have at least 15 appearances.



It’s a remarkable improvement from the numbers he put up last year. Hellebuyck’s all-situation .908 and 5-on-5 .918 save percentages had him well below league average, and likely led to the Jets’ decision to sign Mason.



So what changed? There’s enough variance in a goalie’s save percentage from year-to-year that it’s difficult...