Mikael Granlund’s Hat Trick Leads Stars to 3-1 Victory over Jets

Dallas, TX – Mikael Granlund scored a hat trick Tuesday night, propelling the Dallas Stars to a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, giving them a 3-1 series lead.

Granlund’s performance marked his first playoff hat trick and the first for a Stars forward since 2017. The game also saw the return of defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who had been sidelined since January due to injury. Fans erupted as Heiskanen took to the ice, adding to the electric atmosphere at the American Airlines Center.

“Tonight was the first night we’ve actually had our full team together,” said Stars head coach Pete DeBoer. “Everyone is still not 100 percent, but it’s a nice feeling to have.”

The Stars started the game strong, with Granlund scoring just minutes into the first period on a power play after being fouled by a Jets defender. His first goal came from a quick snapshot that found the back of the net.

The second period saw the Jets equalize with a goal from Nikolaj Ehlers, putting pressure on the Stars. However, Granlund struck again late in the period, taking advantage of a two-on-one rush to score a spectacular goal. “That was disgusting,” commented an excited fan during the game.

The momentum shifted back to the Stars in the third period when the Jets were penalized with a double minor for high sticking. With just over six minutes left, Granlund completed his hat trick with a powerful one-timer set up by Heiskanen. This goal marked the 13th playoff hat trick in Stars history.

Goaltender Jake Oettinger was a wall for the Stars, stopping 31 of 32 shots faced. “I thought he played hard all night,” DeBoer said about Oettinger. “We needed a little bit of a shot of energy, and we got it.”

With the victory, the Stars inch closer to a third consecutive appearance in the Western Conference Finals. Granlund emphasized the need to stay focused as they prepare for their next game in Winnipeg, stating, “The job is not done. We have a lot of work to do.”