Winnipeg Jets avoid elimination with Game 5 shutout win over Dallas Stars
CBC
Adam Lowry believes the Winnipeg Jets found another gear on Thursday that was driven by a powerful emotion.
"Desperation," the Jets captain said.
Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, Mark Scheifele had a goal and an assist and Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves to help Winnipeg avoid elimination with a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of their second-round series.
The Stars lead the best-of-seven playoff matchup 3-2 with Game 6 set for Saturday night in Dallas.
"I think all year we've been a great team at home," Lowry said. "I just thought start to finish, the structure, the way we wanted to play. We were quick with our decisions, we were quick with the reads, quick supporting the puck all over the ice."
Vladislav Namestnikov also had a goal and an assist. Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk both contributed two helpers in front of a roaring whiteout crowd at Canada Life Centre.
Jake Oettinger stopped 31 shots for the Stars.
"It was everybody stepping up, not wanting to be eliminated tonight," Jets head coach Scott Arniel said. "You could see it right from the puck drop, the opening shift. We didn't take our foot off the gas."
It was the fifth time in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers' franchise history that an opponent has been shut out in the playoffs.
Winnipeg, which won the Presidents' Trophy with a franchise-record 56 wins and 116 points, is an NHL-best 6-1 at home this post-season.
Its albatross is away games.
The Jets have lost all five road games in the Western Conference playoffs, including in their first-round series against the St. Louis Blues that Winnipeg won in a Game 7 double overtime at home.
"We haven't played well on the road at all this playoff, so no better time than now to start," Lowry said.
Hellebuyck shrugged off those results.
