Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars Game 2

Jets Look to Respond After Rantanen Hat Trick Steals Game 1

The Winnipeg Jets return to Canada Life Centre on Thursday night for Game 2, trailing the Dallas Stars 1–0 in the series after a 3–2 loss in the opener. Despite scoring first and outshooting Dallas 31–24, Winnipeg couldn't contain Mikko Rantanen, who singlehandedly flipped the game with a second-period natural hat trick.

Nino Niederreiter opened the scoring for the Jets early in the second, but Rantanen answered with three straight including a power-play goal to give Dallas control. Mark Scheifele added a late goal to cut the deficit, but the Jets went 0-for-4 on the power play and couldn't find an equalizer despite a strong push.

Connor Hellebuyck stopped just 21 of 24 shots and now carries an .836 save percentage in the playoffs. The Jets need their Vezina-caliber goaltender to bounce back if they want to avoid heading to Dallas in a 0–2 hole. Offensively, Kyle Connor and Mason Appleton continue to create chances, but the Jets’ inability to finish on special teams was a deciding factor in Game 1.

Dallas continues to roll behind the red hot Rantanen, who now leads the league with 8 postseason goals and 15 points. Jake Oettinger was steady again in net and the Stars converted on one of their two power plays the difference in an otherwise even matchup.

Winnipeg remains one of the best home teams in hockey (34-8-4 regular season) and has shown they can beat Dallas, winning 3 of 5 meetings this season. Game 2 sets up as a crucial bounce-back opportunity for a team that knows it let one slip away.

Best Bet: Winnipeg Jets ML (-125)

The Jets were the better 5 on 5 team in Game 1 and had more scoring chances but couldn’t capitalize. Expect a sharper power play and better performance from Hellebuyck in what should be a high-effort response at home.