NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn — 3 least impressive Winnipeg Jets players from 5-2 Game 3 loss to Dallas Stars feat. Connor Hellebuyck - Source: Imagn

3 least impressive Winnipeg Jets players from 5-2 Game 3 loss to Dallas Stars feat. Connor Hellebuyck

Modified May 13, 2025 06:11 GMT

The Winnipeg Jets dropped Game 3 of their second-round series against the Dallas Stars 5-2 at the American Airlines Center on Sunday.

Kyle Connor and Nino Niederreiter scored for the Winnipeg Jets, who entered the third period with the score tied at two. Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen continued his formidable pace for the Dallas Stars, notching a goal and two assists. Roope Hintz (PPG), Thomas Harley, Alexander Petrovic, and Wyatt Johnston had the other tallies for the Stars.

The Jets are now down 2-1 in the series. Here’s a look at the three least impressive Winnipeg Jets players from their Game 3 loss.

3 least impressive Winnipeg Jets players from Game 3 loss to Dallas Stars

#3 Mark Scheifele

The Jets need Mark Scheifele to step up in Game 4 against the Stars - Source: Imagn

Mark Scheifele did not have his best game. He registered just under 21 minutes of ice time across 23 shifts. However, he was practically invisible as he failed to get a shot on net, much less influence the game’s outcome.

Scheifele registered a hit and a blocked shot while notching 35.7% in the face-off circle. Moving forward, the Jets will be counting on Scheifele to turn things.

#2 Nikolaj Ehlers

Nikolaj Ehlers has been crucial in providing secondary scoring for the Winnipeg Jets this season. But in Game 3, Ehlers failed to find the back of the net in 16:24 of ice time across 22 shifts.

While Ehlers registered three shots on goal, he could not generate significant offensive opportunities. The Jets will need Ehlers to rebound in Game 4 and put up a performance like he did in Game 2, where he scored two goals and added an assist for three points.

#1 Connor Hellebuyck

Vezina Trophy finalist Connor Hellebuyck had another shaky outing in Game 3 against Dallas - Source: Imagn

Connor Hellebuyck’s playoff demons resurfaced on Sunday night, as he surrendered five goals, including three straight in the third period.

Hellebuyck seemed to have turned a corner in Game 2 as he put up his best performance of the postseason. Unfortunately for the Jets, Hellebuyck could not follow up Game 2’s brilliant outing with an equally effective one in Game 3.

The Jets will need Hellebuyck to turn the page on another shaky outing, as the club looks to even the series in Game 4 on Wednesday night at the American Airlines Center.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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