Winnipeg Jets Shut Out Dallas Stars, Force Game 6 in Semifinal Series

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Winnipeg Jets avoided elimination with a commanding 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck recorded a shutout, stopping all 22 shots he faced, as the Jets cut the Stars’ series lead to 3-2.

Winnipeg jumped on the power play early in the game but couldn’t capitalize. They had three shots on goal during the man advantage but failed to score. Just over a minute after their first power play, Adam Lowry was penalized for cross-checking, which the Jets successfully killed off.

Midway through the second period, Mark Scheifele opened the scoring for Winnipeg. While the teams skated 4-on-4, Scheifele received a pass, faked a shot, and his attempt deflected off Stars defenseman Thomas Harley‘s skate and into the net.

Despite dominating the first two periods in shots on goal, Winnipeg held a narrow 1-0 lead. Dallas nearly equalized late in the second but saw Matt Duchene‘s shot hit both the post and crossbar.

The Jets extended their lead early in the third period with a power play goal from Nikolaj Ehlers only moments after a two-man advantage. Just over seven minutes left in the game, Vladislav Namestnikov scored to solidify Winnipeg’s 3-0 lead.

Tempers flared in the final minutes when Stars captain Jamie Benn sucker-punched Scheifele during a scrum, which may lead to disciplinary action. Ehlers capped the night with an empty net goal to seal the victory.

With the win, the Jets improved their home playoff record to 6-1. They will now travel to Dallas for Game 6 on Saturday, needing a win on the road to force a decisive Game 7.