The Winnipeg Jets blanked the Dallas Stars, 4-0, at Canada Life Centre on Friday night. The series is tied at one win apiece. The Jets took control early in the game and never looked back. Some key factors in the convincing victory that enabled the Jets to draw even with Dallas.
- Healthy lineup. Josh Morrisey returned to active duty for the Jets on Friday night. Meanwhile, the game marked the first time in nearly two months that the Jets iced a fully intact lineup. It made a noticeable difference.
- Hellebuyck shows resilience. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Jets’ goaltender reached a legacy crossroads in Game 7 of the first round series with the St. Louis Blues. He came through the adversity with flying colours. By comparison, a 1-0 series deficit, even in light of a home loss in the opener, seemed quite manageable.
- Rantanen held scoreless. Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen put forth one of the most spectacular three-game stretches in Stanley Cup playoff history heading into Game Two of this series. The Jets paid extra attention to making sure the Finnish sniper wouldn’t be the one to earn an almost single-handed win for Dallas again. Conversely, Nikolaj Ehlers struck for two goals and an assist on Friday. Gabe Vilardi and Adam Lowry tallied once apiece for Winnipeg.
First Period
Dallas veteran forward Tyler Seguin received a double-minor mere seconds into the game. Suddenly, the game was at an immediate critical juncture. Score and take quick control. Fail on on the four-minute powerplay and frustration could set in before the game even five minutes old.
The Jets won this battle.
Vilardi banged in an Ehlers rebound in the latter portion of the double minor to open the scoring for the Jets. Subsequently, just four minutes later, an Ehlers pass deflected off of Esa Lindell’s skate and into the Stars’ net to increase the Jets lead to 2-0. Ehlers was credited with the goal.
Puck luck? Yes but it was self-made puck luck with the Stars back on their heels. That’s how the first period would end.
Second Period
The Jets won the middle frame with the lone goal of the stanza. It was one of those “Johnny-on-the-spot tallies.
Lowry scored off a Dylan DeMelo missed shot to give the Jets a 3-0 lead heading into the second intermission. Lowry was also on the receiving end of a highlight reel clean hit from Alex Petrovic that landed the Winnipeg captain in the Jets bench. Fortunately, Lowry did not seem to be hurt on the play.
Third Period
With the Jets defending a three-goal lead, they figured to need Hellebuyck to step up big at a few crucial moments. Sure enough, the goalie made several big saves to freeze out the Stars from narrowing their deficit.
The Stars pulled Jake Oettinger for an extra attacker. The desperation push short-circuited. An Ehlers empty netter made the final score 4-0.
The final buzzer
Friday’s game was the best all-around performance the Jets have produced thus far in the 2025 Playoffs. Indeed, it holds the distinction by a wide margin.It was no coincidence that it was the first time in nearly two months that they played with their full line-up on the ice.
Vilardi and Ehlers scored their respective first goals of the 2025 playoffs. This game was also a reminder of how the Jets often played wire-to-wire strong hockey in the regular season. This was why Scott Arniel’s team won the President’s Trophy.
The Jets also played this game with a brand new third defence pair. Hadyn Fleury and Colin Millerd dressed instead of Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. I assume this change was made due to the Stars playing a less physically imposing style than the St. Louis Blues. Notably, Fleury also had a phenomenal showing in Game 7 versus the Blues. He seems to have earned in his spot in the line-up.
In light of Friday’s convincing victory, barring injury, I can’t see Arniel making any lineup changes for Game Three. It’s now Dallas coach Pete DeBoer’s turn to make countermoves.
Game Two marked Hellebuyck’s first playoff game shutout in nearly four years. Boy, was it needed. Questions seemingly answered in the double overtime span of the final game against St. Louis could easily have popped up again if the Jets trailed Dallas by two games to zero. Although
he had to make only 21 saves, Hellebuyck made momentum stops that kept the Jets in control. Ultimately, it was the first game of the 2025 playoffs in which Hellebuyck stopped more than 90 percent of the shots he faced. At least on this night, he was flawless.
The scene now shifts to American Airline Center in Dallas. Therein stands the next big hurdle. The Jets were atrocious on the road against the Blues in Round One. The Winnipeg side got absolutely run over in all three games in St. Louis. Let’s see if they can have better results this time around.
