 celebrates game opening goal 2nd period May 15 2025 Jets vs Stars Game 5 Round 2 (Winnipeg Jets X).jpeg)
Connor Hellebuyck was perfect again on home ice, stopping all 22 shots he faced for his second shutout in a row on home ice, as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Dallas Stars 4-0 in Game 5 of their second-round series Thursday night at Canada Life Centre.
Facing elimination down 3-1 in the series, the Jets rose to the occasion in front of a raucous Whiteout crowd on a stormy evening in southern Manitoba.
After a scoreless first period in which Winnipeg outshot Dallas 11-4 and killed off two penalties, including a questionable interference call against Cole Perfetti, the Stars came out pressing to start the second. Hellebuyck responded with a game-saving glove save on Thomas Harley, who fired a backhand rebound toward the top corner.
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK HIT THE WINDMILL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/OeC8kP8xNw
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 16, 2025
Moments later, the Jets broke through during 4-on-4 play.
The opening goal came off a slick sequence that began with a poke check by Hellebuyck and ended with Mark Scheifele banking the puck in off Harley at the other end of the ice.
Scheifele was set up by Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk after a crisp, multi-pass rush up the ice.
Shoutout to the home ice friendly bounce 😆 😆 😆 pic.twitter.com/nPWAgoZRVB
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 16, 2025
Jets capitalize on the power play
Winnipeg, which struggled early in the series with the man advantage, struck twice on the power play in the third.
With a two-man advantage just over a minute into the period, Nikolaj Ehlers buried a low wrist shot for his fourth goal of the playoffs. Connor and Scheifele each picked up their second points of the night with assists on the play.
POWER PLAY GO BRRRR 🥶 pic.twitter.com/St4Ku8UvTw
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 16, 2025
Later in the period, with Lian Bichsel in the box for roughing after a post-whistle scrum with Adam Lowry, the Jets added another power play marker.
This time it was Vladislav Namestnikov beating Jake Oettinger with a wrister for his third of the postseason. Alex Iafallo and Pionk assisted.
OH HE'S SUCH A BADDIE 😝 pic.twitter.com/c10uMIxtgI
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 16, 2025
Ehlers capped off the night with his second of the game, winning a footrace with Miro Heiskanen and sliding the puck into the empty net with 45 seconds left.
Physical edge, improved faceoffs
The Jets finished the night with 51 hits and 35 shots on goal, showcasing a physical style that wore down the Stars. Dallas, by contrast, recorded 33 hits and 22 shots.
After struggling in the faceoff circle all series, Winnipeg improved over the course of the game, winning 52.5 per cent of the draws.
Hellebuyck's save percentage has now improved to .863, and his goals against average is now at 3.18 after sitting at .851 and 3.48 respectively before Game 5.
Ehlers and Connor lead the Jets with five goals in the playoffs, and Connor leads in total points with 16. Connor also sits at fourth in the league for points this post season.
What’s next
The series now shifts back to Dallas for Game 6 on Saturday.
The Jets will need to win on the road for the first time this postseason to force a deciding Game 7 back in Winnipeg.