The Dallas Stars can clinch a third consecutive berth in the Western Conference final when they visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.
The Stars lead the series 3-1 after winning Game 1 in Winnipeg and both of their home games. Dallas’ Mikko Rantanen has four goals and three assists in the series.
The Jets, who won the Presidents’ Trophy as the top regular-season team, are 4-1 at home these playoffs. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, a Hart and Vezina Trophy finalist who has struggled on the road this postseason, shut out the Stars in his last home game.
No Presidents’ Trophy winner has won the Stanley Cup since the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks. The New York Rangers reached the Eastern Conference final last season.
USA TODAY is providing live updates from Game 5 of the Dallas Stars-Winnipeg Jets series. Follow along:
Jets vs. Stars final score: Jets 4, Stars 0
Connor Hellebuyck picks up his second consecutive home shutout and the Jets stay alive.
Jets-Stars score: Nicolaj Ehlers scores again
Ehlers outraces Miro Heiskanen to a loose puck and jams it into the empty net. Jets 4, Stars 0
Jamie Benn sucker punches Mark Scheifele
The Stars captain and Scheifele tussle near the bench. Brandon Tanev tries to break it up. While an official is holding Scheifele, Benn sucker punches the Jets star, knocking over him and the official. Somehow the Stars get a power play out of that. Winnipeg kills it off.
Jets-Stars score: Winnipeg strikes again on power play
Alex Iafallo sets up Vladislav Namestnikov in the slot for the Jets’ second power play goal of the game. Jets 3, Stars 0
Jets go on power play
There’s a scrum and Lian Bichsel is called for roughing.
Stars go on power play
Mason Appleton is called for hooking Roope Hintz. Stars work for shots from the right faceoff circle but Connor Hellebuyck stops both. Penalty killed.
Back to full strength
But Jets did damage with a 5-on-3 goal by Nicolaj Ehlers.
Jets-Stars score: Winnipeg connects on power play
Nicolaj Ehlers takes a pass below the faceoff circle and jams the puck past Jake Oettinger. Time remaining on the second power play. Jets 2, Stars 0
Jets go on power play
Alex Petrovic goes off, then Esa Lindell, both for tripping. Lengthy 5-on-3 for Winnipeg.
Third period underway
1-0 Jets. Connor Hellebuyck working on his second consecutive home shutout. He was to stop Jason Robertson early.
End of second period: Jets 1, Stars 0
Winnipeg continues to carry the play. The Jets finally connect on a lucky bounce when Mark Scheifele’s shot goes in off Thomas Harley. Winnipeg gets more chances on a late power play and another one by Nino Niederreiter with 14 seconds left. Jake Oettinger has 21 saves through two periods. The Stars have managed only nine shots.
Jets goal waved off
Jake Oettinger has a shot go off his back as he gets up from making a save. Later in the power play, Mark Scheifele knocks a puck in the net with his glove. It’s quickly waved off. Stars kill off the rest of the power play.
Jets go on power play
Mason Marchment is called for holding Nicolaj Ehlers.
Tyler Seguin hits the crossbar
Great chance by the Stars on a quick passing play, but Seguin’s shot hits the crossbar.
Jets-Stars score: Winnipeg takes lead
Tough break for Thomas Harley. Connor Hellebuyck makes a glove save on the Stars defenseman in tight. Later, Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele scores on a shot that banks in off Harley’s leg at 6:17 of the second period. Jets 1, Stars 0
End of first period: Jets 0, Stars 0
The Jets, facing elimination, come out strong in the first period, outshooting the Stars 11-4.
What time is Stars vs. Jets Game 5?
Game 5 of the Stars-Jets series is at 9:30 p.m. ET at Winnipeg.
How to watch Stars vs. Jets playoff game: TV, stream
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg
- TV: TNT, TruTV
- Stream: Sling TV, Max