The Dallas Stars are one win away from a return to the Western Conference Final after Mikael Granlund’s stunning first career playoff hat trick led them to a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 on Tuesday night. With the win, the Stars take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Jets.
Granlund, a 33-year-old Finnish forward, had never recorded a playoff hat trick in his 70-game postseason career. He had only once scored multiple goals in a playoff game, back in 2014 with Minnesota. But on Tuesday night, Granlund was the difference-maker — scoring once in each period, including the game-winner late in the second and a power-play insurance goal in the third.
Jake Oettinger continued his stellar postseason with 31 saves, including a critical stop on a shorthanded breakaway by Kyle Connor during a double-minor penalty in the third period. The Stars goaltender, steady as ever, frustrated the Jets again as Winnipeg fell to 0-5 on the road in this postseason.
“Mikael was sensational tonight,” Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said postgame. “That’s why we brought him in. Big-time players stepping up in big moments.”
Granlund opened the scoring just 8:30 into the first period, skating through the neutral zone and making a smooth move around Brandon Tanev before ripping a 38-foot wrister past Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets’ goaltender, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and favorite for this season’s award, had another rough outing away from home, stopping 21 of 24 shots and extending his postseason road losing streak to nine games.
Winnipeg tied the game early in the second period, as Nikolaj Ehlers scored from a tight angle seconds after a Dallas penalty kill. His shot from below the left circle slid through Oettinger’s pads as Tyler Seguin stepped out of the box.
But the Stars answered late in the second, and once again, Granlund was the catalyst. With just over two minutes remaining in the period, Mikko Rantanen — the NHL’s postseason points leader — found Granlund streaking through the slot for a one-timer that beat Hellebuyck high. Rantanen, another midseason acquisition from Finland, now has 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) this postseason.
Granlund capped off his night with a power-play goal 7:23 into the third period, finishing off a crisp setup from defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who was playing his first game since Jan. 28 after missing 32 regular-season games and the first 10 playoff contests with a knee injury. Granlund dropped to his knees for a double fist-pump celebration before springing to his feet as the crowd in Winnipeg fell silent.
“The chemistry with Rantanen and the team just clicked from the start,” Granlund said. “This was a special night, but we know the job’s not finished yet.”
The Jets, despite a strong push, couldn’t find a way past Oettinger again. Their special teams faltered, and their top scorers were kept in check by a well-structured Dallas defense.
Game 5 will take place Thursday night in Winnipeg, where the Stars will have their first opportunity to close out the series and return to the Western Conference Final for the third time in the last four years. The Jets, meanwhile, face elimination and must solve their road woes quickly if they hope to extend their season.
