Winnipeg Jets forward Brandon Tanev (73) shows his reaction at the end of the second period during Game 4 of the NHL playoff series against Dallas on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
As the clock wound down in Game 4 on Tuesday night, Winnipeg Jets executive chairman Mark Chipman stood quietly outside the team’s dressing room. His hands tucked into his pockets, he stared at the hallway monitor, watching his team push hard in the final minutes. But their late efforts fell short. The Jets lost 3-1 to the Dallas Stars, putting them on the edge of elimination in this second-round NHL playoff series.
When the final horn rang out at the American Airlines Center, the crowd’s cheers said everything. Chipman turned away as the players trudged past him into the locker room, frustration etched on their faces. Defenseman Josh Morrissey punched the door in anger—an image that captured the team’s current struggle.
Despite their strong regular season, which saw them clinch the Presidents' Trophy, the Jets are falling short when it matters most. They’ve now lost nine consecutive road playoff games, including all five this postseason. Their next matchup, Game 5, is set for Thursday at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg—a much-needed home setting where they must win to stay alive.
Dallas forward Mikael Granlund was the star of the night, scoring all three of the team’s goals—his first career hat trick. Winnipeg couldn’t answer back. Though Nikolaj Ehlers managed a goal early in the second, the Stars quickly took control again. Granlund’s third goal, set up by returning defenseman Miro Heiskanen, sealed the deal.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel didn’t mince words after the loss. “Don’t lose your last game,” he told the players—a clear reminder that one more defeat ends their season.
The Jets have been struggling to find their rhythm. Their usual speed and sharp passing seem out of sync. Defensive breakdowns and missed chances are proving costly. Jake Oettinger, Dallas’s goaltender, has been sharp, making 31 saves—including a pair of spectacular stops against Kyle Connor.
On the other end, Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been under fire. With a playoff road goals-against average of 5.84 and a save percentage of just .793, his numbers are far below expectations.
Still, Hellebuyck remains determined. “I leave it all out there every night,” he said. “Sometimes it’s heartbreaking, but one bounce can change everything.”
Arniel tried shaking up his lines for Game 4, moving Mark Scheifele to play alongside Kyle Connor and Alex Iafallo. But the new look didn’t spark much offense. Meanwhile, the return of Heiskanen gave the Stars a big boost. After being sidelined for over three months with a knee injury, he came back strong—logging nearly 15 minutes on the ice and assisting on Granlund’s third goal.
Dallas now leads the series 3-1 and looks confident heading into the next game. The Jets must respond with a win at home to avoid an early playoff exit and keep their hopes alive.
