WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 on Friday evening in Sport 2 to tie the Western Convention second-round sequence.
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Hellebuyck had his fourth profession playoff shutout to assist the regular-season champion Jets rebound from a 3-2 loss Wednesday evening.
“There were stretches in the first round where I really liked my game, just wasn’t in the results,” Hellebuyck stated. “But, built it back better. I like where we’re at. The team in front of me is playing phenomenal, so we’re going to have fun. Just continue to have fun.”
Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers scored early objectives and Adam Lowry made it 3-0 halfway by means of the second interval. Ehlers added an empty-netter with 3:40 remaining for a three-point evening.
Sport 3 is Sunday in Dallas.
Hellebuyck was the star Friday evening.
“It’s what he does every night for us,” stated Josh Morrissey, who assisted on Vilardi’s aim. “He’s an incredible goaltender. He makes very difficult saves look very easy, routinely and often. You could tell he was feeling it tonight.”
Dallas coach Pete DeBoer additionally was impressed with Hellebuyck.
“He was good,” DeBoer stated. “I think we can always make it more difficult on him, but he was really good.”
Jake Oettinger stopped 21 pictures for Dallas.
Vilardi opened the scoring on an influence play at 3:35 of the primary interval.
Tyler Seguin was known as for a double-minor for high-sticking Josh Morrissey simply 17 seconds in. Vilardi pounced on Ehlers’ rebound within the crease and slid the puck within the internet.
Ehlers adopted at 7:07, and Lowry made it a three-goal lead with 8:58 left within the second.
“We would have liked to get two , obviously, but we have to look at the big picture,” Stars defenseman Cody Ceci stated. “It’s a long series. It’s kind of what we expected against these guys — they’re a good team.”
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