The Winnipeg Jets remain winless in road playoff games this spring. They stand on the brink of elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are one victory away from advancing to the Western Conference Final. The Stars defeated the visiting Jets, 3-1, at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night. Dallas holds a three games to one lead in the second round playoff series.
Midseason acquisition Mikael Granlund entered Game Four with one goal in the postseason. Finally, he broke loose on Tuesday, compiling a hat trick with two power play tallies and one at even strength. Goalie Jake Oettinger outdueled Connor Hellebuyck, stopping 31 of 32 shots. Most notably, Oettinger stoned Kyle Connor on a breakaway in the latter stages of the third period.
Meanwhile, top defenseman Miro Heiskanen returned to the Stars’ lineup for the first time since suffering a significant knee injury on January 28. Along the way, he assisted on Granlund’s third goal.
Tuesday’s game marked the third hat trick of Granlund’s NHL career. However, it’s his first three-goal game in the playoffs, and first such performance since December 29. 2017.
Granlund sent the Stars to the first intermission with a 1-0 lead, using Neal Pionk as a screen. After Nikolaj Ehlers knotted the score early in the second period, Granlund restored the edge at 17:52. Mikko Rantanen collected his 10th assist of the playoffs on the goal. Subsequently, Granlund provided some insurance at 7:23 of the third period. Set up by Heiskanen, Granlund hammered home a right-circle one-timer past Hellebuyck.
What’s next
On Thursday, the Jets will try to send the series back to Dallas for Game Six. Game time will be 8:30 p.m. CDT (television coverage on CBC, TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, and MAX). Standing on the brink of elimination, the Jets cannot worry about their road record if the series gets back to Dallas. Scott Arniel’s club must empty the tank in Game Five.
