(Photo: The Hockey News, NHL)
The Winnipeg Jets avoided elimination and stayed alive in the playoffs with a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series Thursday night. With their backs to the wall, the Jets played a complete game at Canada Life Centre, cutting the series deficit to 3-2 and forcing a massive Game 6 in Dallas.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was massive in the win stopping all 22 shots he faced for his second shutout of the series and fifth of his playoff career. The performance extended his home shutout streak to 143 minutes and 22 seconds. Which begs the question why is he so bad on the road?, if the Jets want to keep there season alive they are going to need to win there first playoff game on the road.
Offensively the Jets were led by Nikolaj Ehlers who scored two goals, and Mark Scheifele who had a goal and an assist. Vladislav Namestnikov also found the net and Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk had two assists apiece. Winnipeg’s power play, which had been a challenge in the earlier portion of the series, came through twice pointing to improved special teams play at HOME as the Jets still need to figure out there play on the road.
The Jets’ defense was equally good, effectively closing down the Stars’ offense and keeping them at bay with there scoring opportunities. Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger made 31 saves, but the Stars were not able to generate much offensive pressure. Even though he let in 3 goals Oettinger really stood on his head for most of this game. This game was really over but with 6 minutes left in the 3rd period as the Jets were leading comfortably, but then all of a sudden Mark Scheifele and Dallas captain Jamie Benn started to argue. The refs came in betwwen the 2 and out of no where Benn threw a sucker punch at Mark and was immediately kicked out of the game a dirty act by a player who has a history of doing dirty things. https://x.com/DailyFaceoff/status/1923231264741413277
This victory gives the Jets some of there confidence back in the series and will look to carry this into Game 6. A win in Dallas would force a deciding Game 7 back in Winnipeg, where the Jets have been dynamite in the postseason, but first the Jets need to win on the road which they have not been dynamite this season. Game 6 will be played Saturday night.