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The Winnipeg Jets came up short in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Dallas Stars, falling 3–2 at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday night.
Despite a late-game surge and pulling Connor Hellebuyck for the extra attacker, the Jets couldn’t find the tying goal and now trail the best-of-seven series 1–0.
After a slow start offensively—Winnipeg didn’t record a shot until the 7:15 mark of the first period—the Jets recovered to lead in shots 13–12 by the end of the opening frame. The teams went into the first intermission tied 0-0.
Rantanen continues hot streak with another hat trick
What the first period lacked in offence, the second period quickly made up for.
Nino Niederreiter opened the scoring for Winnipeg at 3:30 of the second, converting a Mason Appleton pass with a quick backhand.
Putting some ZIPPPP on that 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Da83TpLJ2Y
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 8, 2025
However, after that the second period saw Dallas take control, led by Mikko Rantanen, who recorded his second straight playoff hat trick.
Rantanen tied the game at 1–1 by jamming home a loose puck at 8:43, then gave Dallas the lead by tipping a Thomas Harley point shot past Hellebuyck at 14:21. He completed the natural hat trick just over two minutes later on the power play when his wrist shot deflected off Dylan Samberg’s skate and in.
The three-goal performance made Rantanen the first player since Jari Kurri in 1985 to record hat tricks in back-to-back playoff games. Only Doug Bentley, in 1944, had done so before Kurri.
Scheifele gets back into the lineup and onto the scoresheet
Mark Scheifele, returning to the lineup for the first time since Game 5 of the opening round, cut the deficit to 3–2 with a goal at 17:35. Gabe Vilardi set him up from behind the net for his third goal of the playoffs.
MARKY MARK GET BACK 😤 pic.twitter.com/hqZuLfQT9C
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 8, 2025
Despite outshooting Dallas 11–4 in the third period and 32–24 overall, the Jets couldn’t find the equalizer. Winnipeg also outhit the Stars 46–24.
The Jets went 0-for-4 on the power play and killed off one of two penalties.
What’s next
Game 2 is set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. CDT at Canada Life Centre before the series shifts to Dallas for two games. Game 3 will be a matinee on Sunday, May 11 at 3:30 p.m. CDT. Game 4 goes Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m.