(Photo: Global News, NHL)
The Winnipeg Jets lose a tough 3-1 game in American AirLines Center in Dallas which means the Jets will be facing elimination game 5 in Winnipeg. The Stars can thank mikael granlunds amazing performance as he scored a hatrick to boost the Stars to grab this win. This is mikael granlunds first career playoff hatrick. Hatricks have been a trend for the Stars so far these playoffs as this is the 3rd hatrick scored in these playoffs so far for the Stars.
Grandlunds scoring touch was on display thought the whole game as he scored in the first, second and third period. He really set the tone with his smart IQ plays to score throughout the game. The Jets lone goal came from Nikolaj Ehlers in the early in the 2nd period. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck road struggles continue as he only saved 21/24 shots posting a 8.75 save percentage. Hellebuyck actually is bottom 3 in the playoffs in save percentage the only two goalies with a lower percentage is Stuart Skinner and Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Jets have yet to win a road game these playoffs and the Jets are going to at least have to win one more road game if they want too keep there season alive.
The Jets face a must win situation at home game 5 is scheduled for Saturday so the Jets can have a rest day and a practice day to recollect there thoughts and try to come up with some new game plans to beat this hot stars team. On the other side the Stars also get 3 days rest.
In my eyes i do not see this Jets team winning this series anymore. The questions we had about Hellebuyck going into this series on if he could play on the road have been answered he cant. In the Playoffs you need your goalie to be able to at least steal you one game and Connor Hellebuyck has not been able to do that which is shocking due to him not just being a Vezina Trophy candidate, but a Hart Trophy candidate. Jake Otteinger across the crease has been great and he came up big today with 31/32 saves. The Stars are too big and fast and now that they have Miro heiskanen back I just can not see them losing. The Stars will go in to Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg and take out the Presidents Trophy winners.