The NHL takes on a break for now with the 4 Nations Face-Off brewing hot on the big stage, and Winnipeg Jets star goalie and top-five NHL MVP candidate Connor Hellebuyck is feeling the big game on the rise as he seeks to lead the United States to a massive finish. For now, it is expected that there will be huge changes in his approach to the game as of this time.

US opens up the tournament as the favorite to win it all – and they are entering this campaign as a hot team to watch considering the fact that they have the best and the deepest when it comes to their three-man goalie depth chart. Of course, that notion is led by Hellebuyck, who is arguably the best goalie in the NHL right now.

Well, it does seem that the United States are definitely getting the best for their games so far. Despite the fact that the US is ranked behind two of the four participating countries, it is easy to expect that Hellebuyck’s leadership will definitely bring a new dynamic for their winning chances.

A Chance for Starting Spot

Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan is yet to reveal his starters for the best-on-best tournament. However, there are high expectations that Hellebuyck would go on to be the no. 1 goalie for the team, considering that he’s been the best performer on that end in the NHL so far, and is even one of the top candidates for the MVP this season.

"At this point, the season has started, let's go. I'm ready, I'm waiting," Hellebuyck said after the United States' first practice at CN Sportsplex. "This is the most practice I've had in a long time. I just want to play some games. I know there are different systems going on and you need a little bit of time, but for a goaltender it's to stop the puck. I'm ready for it."

The tournament runs from February 20 at the Bell Centre and the TD Garden in Boston. The United States will play three times in five days. For starters, Hellebuyck is gunning for the starting role, and it is safe to say that he definitely deserves that spot at this point in time.

Hellebuyck leads the NHL in wins (34), save percentage (.925, minimum 20 games) and goals-against average (2.06, minimum 20 games). He is coming into the tournament having won six games in a row and has been standing at 10-2-1 with a .913 save percentage and 2.22 GAA in 13 games.

Other Boost for the United States

Hellebuyck isn’t the only player who could play a huge role in winning for the United States at this point. There’s still the likes of Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman, with the Dallas Stars goalie coming up with 2.35 GAA and .911 save percentage in 40 games. Swayman, on the other hand, has been enjoying a special season with 18-18-4 with a 2.98 GAA and .898 save percentage in 40 games.

For US captain Auston Matthews, however, this seems to be quite the advantage that they can have now more than ever, and it is safe to say that they will be having the better chance to win it all moving forward. After all, Hellebuyck is leading the charge, and this should give them a chance to show why the United States are, indeed, after all, the best of them all.