The Winnipeg Jets stayed alive in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday, and they received help from an unlikely source.
Jets center Mark Scheifele broke a scoreless tie six minutes and 17 seconds into the second period with his fourth goal of the postseason, and he got an assist from Stars defenseman Thomas Harley on the play.
Scheifele’s off-target shot hit Harley in the right leg as he defended in front of the Dallas goal, and the puck bounced past goalie Jake Oettinger and into the net.
The goal ended up being the difference, but Winnipeg added two power-play goals, include one 5-on-3, in the third — plus an empty-netter — to give it breathing room and stave off elimination.
The Jets (56-22-4) won the Presidents’ Trophy after posting the best record and 116 points during the regular season. They’ve gone 6-6 in the playoffs and have particularly struggled offensively this series.
Oettinger has been a big reason why, entering Thursday with a 92.9 percent save percentage during the series’ first four games.
He was stellar again on Thursday, with the only goal he allowed while at even strength coming off his defenseman’s leg. Oettinger ended the game with 31 saves in 34 opportunities (91.2 percent).
With the win, the Jets put pressure on the Stars in Game 6. Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck has posted back-to-back shutouts on his home ice, making a Game 7 back north of the border the last thing Dallas should want.
The Jets needed a bounce to go their way to get back into their West semifinal series and got it. They probably didn’t think they’d have the Stars to thank.
