DALLAS (AP) — In a captivating playoff encounter that fans will remember for years, Mikael Granlund achieved his first postseason hat trick, leading the Dallas Stars to a decisive 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Jake Oettinger stood tall in goal, recording an impressive 31 saves, and thus pushing the Stars to a significant 3-1 lead in their second-round series of the Western Conference playoffs on Tuesday night.
Mikko Rantanen, with a primary assist on Granlund’s pivotal second goal, increased his remarkable playoff tally to 19 points, including nine goals. This crucial moment shifted the game’s dynamics, occurring with just 2:08 remaining in the second period, and allowed the Stars to secure their lead for good.
Granlund’s celebration was nothing short of electric! After scoring his third goal—a powerful shot on a power play with 12:37 still on the clock—he fell to his knees in exuberance, punctuated by a double fist pump before bounding back to his feet. It marked a memorable milestone for the 33-year-old, who had only scored multiple goals once in his playoff career, during a game with Minnesota in 2014.
As all eyes turn to Game 5 in Winnipeg on Thursday, the Stars are on the brink of advancing to the Western Conference final for the third consecutive year.
Meanwhile, the Jets had a moment of triumph with Nikolaj Ehlers finding the net but continue to struggle, having lost all five of their road games this postseason.
The setup for Granlund’s third goal was orchestrated by Miro Heiskanen, making a triumphant return after missing 32 regular-season games and the initial 10 playoff games due to a knee injury sustained earlier this year.
Excitement surged when Oettinger executed a jaw-dropping kick save against a short-handed shot from Kyle Connor during a double-minor penalty to Haydn Fleury. Granlund seized the opportunity on the following power play, finding the back of the net just as the penalty was about to expire.
Granlund’s first goal set a vigorous tone for the game, as he deftly navigated past the Jets’ defensive lines, building momentum through the neutral zone. With a precise flick of his wrist, he sent a shot from 38 feet that zipped past Connor Hellebuyck, giving the Stars a 1-0 lead just 8 minutes and 30 seconds into play.
Hellebuyck, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, is currently facing a daunting challenge, marking nine consecutive playoff road losses since a win against Vegas in 2023, where the Golden Knights captured four straight victories. Throughout these playoff defeats, he has conceded an eye-watering 24 goals.
As the Jets entered the second period, hope flickered briefly as they were awarded a power play. After seeming to eliminate the threat, the Stars faltered, allowing Ehlers to sneak a shot beneath Oettinger’s legs just as Tyler Seguin rejoined the fray from the penalty box.
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