Shutout for Hellebuyck, 2 goals for Ehlers, as Winnipeg Jets even series with Dallas
'He was fantastic,' Jets head coach says after Hellebuyck turns aside 21 shots
It certainly looked like the Winnipeg Jets' Vezina-talented netminder was back in top form.
After admittedly struggling during the playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding as he stopped 21 shots to backstop the Jets to a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night.
It was Hellebuyck's fourth playoff shutout and first since May 21, 2021. He believes he is back in the right rhythm.
"There were stretches in the first round where I really liked my game, just wasn't in the results," said Hellebuyck. "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."
WATCH | Connor Hellebuyck's post-game thoughts:
Nikolaj Ehlers scored two goals — the second into an empty net on a clearing shot from in front of his net — and an assist before a sold-out crowd of 15,225 at Canada Life Centre as Winnipeg tied the best-of-seven series 1-1.
Adam Lowry and Gabe Vilardi also scored for Winnipeg.
The Jets were dominant but Hellebuyck held the fort on some dangerous Dallas chances.
"It's what he does every night for us," said Josh Morrissey, who assisted on Vilardi's power-play goal early in the game. "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 was also impressed by Hellebuyck.
"He was good. I think we can always make it more difficult on him, but he was really good," he said.
"Yeah, he was fantastic," said Jets coach Scott Arniel. "Sometimes we take him for granted because he makes the hard look so easy. But, he had some acrobatic saves tonight."
Jake Oettinger stopped 22 shots for Dallas.
Winnipeg had taken a 2-0 lead into the second period when a shot by Ehlers deflected off Esa Lindell's skate in front of the net past Oettinger for his first goal of the playoffs. In fact, it was his first playoff goal since May 23, 2021 when he scored twice, including the overtime winner. It was his first playoff goal in 15 games.
WATCH | Scott Arniel speaks to reporters after the game:
"Yeah, it's nice to see him get rewarded," Arniel said. "I'm just really happy for him. He was dominant. He had the puck a lot. I liked the fact that he attacked the net a bunch of times with the puck."
Dallas will host Game 3 on Sunday afternoon and the Jets have yet to win a road game during these playoffs.
"We're playing our game (now) and we know what it looks like, and we know what it feels like," Hellebuyck said. "That being said, we've got to wipe it and go play a hard road game. It's never easy on the road, especially at playoff time."
Lowry had given Winnipeg a 3-0 lead midway through the second. The Jets captain pounced on the rebound of a Dylan DeMelo shot from the point that had bounced off the boards and fired the puck past a surprised Oettinger.
"We would have liked to get two (wins), obviously, but we have to look at the big picture," said Stars defenceman Cody Ceci. "It's a long series. It's kind of what we expected against these guys — they're a good team.
"Two (wins) would have been nice but we gotta look at the bright side, 1-1, and we're going back to our building."
The Jets need to win at least one game in Dallas to re-take home-ice advantage.
"It's going to be a tough building," Arniel said. "They grabbed home ice from us by winning Game 1, so we're going to have to win down there.
"We know we have to do a lot of what we did tonight. This is a really good hockey team we're going against."
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In other playoff action on Friday night, the Florida Panthers cut the Toronto Maple Leafs' series lead in half with a 5-4 overtime victory.
The Panthers' Brad Marchand scored the decisive goal 15:27 into overtime of Game 3 on home ice.
Game 4 is set for Sunday in Sunrise, Fla.
With files from CBC Sports