The Winnipeg Jets find themselves in a critical spot heading into Game 4 of their second-round matchup with the Dallas Stars. Following a frustrating 5–2 loss in Game 3, the Jets now trail the series 2–1 and desperately need a response tonight to avoid heading back to Winnipeg down 3–1 with their season hanging by a thread.

Game 3 wasn’t a bad effort overall — the teams were neck and neck for most of the night — but the third period turned into a disaster, sparked by a highly controversial goal off the foot of Alex Petrovic.

The NHL’s Situation Room ruled that Connor Hellebuyck had “propelled” the puck into his own net after Petrovic kicked it toward the crease. Here’s what the ref announced post-review:

“The Winnipeg goaltender puts the puck into his net after a kick — it’s a good goal.”

Let’s be honest — that puck was clearly kicked. It deflected off Hellebuyck’s stick and in. That should not count, and head coach Scott Arniel agreed.

“The rule states that if the puck gets kicked, if it hits a body or a stick of anybody else other than the goaltender, it counts as a goal,” Arniel said postgame. “It hit our goaltender’s stick and went in the net. That is no goal.”

But the call stood. And while the Jets were still reacting, Mikko Rantanen scored just 49 seconds later. In the blink of an eye, Winnipeg was down two — and the game, along with momentum in the series, slipped away.

Kyle Connor wasn’t making excuses afterward, despite the lengthy review and sudden momentum swing.

“There’s no excuses,” he said. “We had to be ready to play, whether it was short or long. Momentum swings happen in a game and we try to turn more into our favour.”

That’s the kind of leadership this team needs right now.

Connor Hellebuyck wasn’t at his best — he made some big saves early, but a few of those goals were ones he simply had to stop. He ended the night with 21 saves on 26 shots and a .808 SV%. Not good enough.

Winnipeg has yet to win a road game in the 2025 playoffs, and Game 3 followed a pattern that’s becoming all too familiar. The Jets play solid hockey for 50 minutes, then fall apart during a 10-minute stretch that completely unravels their efforts. It’s happened multiple times this postseason, and it needs to stop — now — or this team’s run is finished.

Game 4 is a gut check. A chance to respond. A chance to prove they can fight through adversity and the road environment. Because if the Jets want to go anywhere, they’re going to have to win in someone else’s building.

Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi

Ehlers – Namestnikov – Perfetti

Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton

Tanev – Barron – Iafallo

Morrissey – DeMelo

Samberg – Pionk

Fleury – Miller

Hellebuyck

Comrie

Granlund – Hintz – Rantanen

Marchment – Duchene – Seguin

Benn – Johnston – Robertson

Blackwell – Steel – Dadonov

Harley – Lyubushkin

Lindell – Ceci

Bichsel – Petrovic

Oettinger

DeSmith

(Lineups via Daily Faceoff; subject to change)

Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, and the game will be available to watch on SNW. Be sure to check out the post-game article at Jetsnation.ca.