Game 5 Stray Observations (Round Two): Winnipeg stays alive to force Game 6 with a shutout over Dallas

At least it forces Winnipeg to win on the road.

Whelp. A modest whelp, perhaps.

While Dallas is still in full control of the series, expect things to get just a little tighter. So far, the Stars have been the better team in the broad strokes. Their best players have been the best players. Jake Oettinger has been better than Connor Hellebuyck and by a yardstick. And of course, special teams, which I discussed this morning. It’s all been the ideal recipe for success. Except for Thursday night.

I don’t think anyone is really worried here. I certainly don’t feel it; not with Hellebuyck’s improbable road record. But that’s the thing. Winnipeg only needs one road win — despite not having any in these playoffs — to turn this series from definitive control in Dallas’ favor to something that could genuinely spiral.

Normally that would be just a bit of overhanded description, but that was pretty accurate for what happened in the waning minutes of the final stanza, when Jamie Benn landed a brutal overhand left on Mark Scheifele. We’ll get to that in the strays, but it was a poor display from Dallas all around.

Of course, I don’t actually expect a downward spiral to actively happen. These things usually don’t. But it’s probably sticking in the back of most minds given the way the things ended. While Thursday night didn’t bring good news, Saturday still favors Dallas with the opportunity to eliminate the Jets.

After all, the Stars go back home, where they’ve been perfect; while the Jets have been perfectly awful.

Dallas’ penalty kill

Right away Dallas’ penalty kill went to work, doing the thing they’ve perfected thus far: forcing 50/50 battles along the walls, and preventing Winnipeg’s power play from creating any sense of momentum whatsoever. I broke this down in detail earlier today, so upgrade to paid if you want to check that out.

Was I wrong after Dallas just gave up two power play goals?

I don’t think so. One of them was on a two-man advantage, which teams rarely kill to begin with, and the other was more of a broken play featuring Alex Iafallo and Vladislav Namestnikov; two players not exactly known for their goal-scoring prowess. That’s not to discredit them. Just that I didn’t see a breakdown in systems or tactics. Even that Nikolaj Ehlers goal was something highlighted in the film room; being on a two-man advantage, he naturally had more room to do what he’s been trying to do all series. It’s a great play from a talented player, but again — what’s so sustainable about it?

To be sure, the Jets power play is still to be respected. But as good as Dallas’ penalty kill is, it would be a lot easier to just not take so many penalties.

Jake Oettinger

Oettinger has been great in these 2025 playoffs, but he managed to level up in Game 5 at least for a period. For a goaltender who has never risen to the elite status he’s sometimes lazily grouped into, it’s quite clear that he’s developing into precisely that. And at a critical hour. Obviously, his performance on the Winnipeg power play late in second period is what people will remember. But it’s a nice and convenient reflection of who he’s been all postseason. Make no mistake. Oettinger had nothing to do with Thursday night’s loss, and it’s the main reason why there’s still plenty of room for optimism.

The blueline next game

It’s probably time for the 11-7 experiment to end. Granted, this isn’t necessarily up to the coaches. As long as Miro Heiskanen is not 100 percent, even Heiskanen at half speed will give you some quality shifts. However, he played over 18 minutes in all situations, which was fourth-most among defenders. Just because you bring in another forward doesn’t mean you’re stopping the Mikko Rantanen double shift. I’d be surprised if the Stars continue to roll with it, if just to give some more clarity to the lineup moving forward.

Jamie Benn

I know in the heat of the battle, players tend to give as good as they get, and inexplicably, Dallas got a power play out of it. But I don’t like seeing this kind of stuff, nor do I think it’s justified. Not cracking down on moments like this are why Toronto vs. Florida has become a thunderdome of abject nonsense.

But more to the point, Benn is the captain. This is not leadership. This is just one man feeding off his emotions. Obviously, the players have Benn’s back, and this series is still very much in the Stars’ control. But this is just a bad look for a player that has taken way too many unnecessary penalties this postseason. This Cup run, however long it lasts, will define Benn’s legacy. Hopefully these are not the moments that are remembered.

The Winnipeg perspective

Any other team, and Jets fans might be feeling quite good. They played a very strong game, really dominated the Stars for stretches, and got a shutout from Hellebuyck. More than that, the Adam Lowry matchup got the better of the Roope Hintz line. However, the Jets can’t win on the road. So either Winnipeg has some magic left, or all they did was prolong the inevitable.