Winnipeg Jets avoid elimination with Game 5 shutout win over Dallas Stars

The Winnipeg Jets will live to skate another day.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, Mark Scheifele had a goal and an assist and Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves to help the Jets avoid elimination with a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of their second-round series Thursday.

The Stars lead the best-of-seven playoff matchup 3-2 and Game 6 goes Saturday in Dallas.

Vladislav Namestnikov also scored. Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk both contributed two assists in front of a roaring whiteout crowd at Canada Life Centre.

Jake Oettinger stopped 31 shots for the Stars.

The Jets are 6-1 at home this post-season, but face a big test for the away game in the Western Conference battle.

Winnipeg has lost all five road games, including in its first-round series against the St. Louis Blues that the Jets won in a Game 7 double overtime at home.

The Jets and Stars started the night with each team getting a power play in the game's opening eight minutes. Oettinger whipped out his glove to thwart a Connor one-timer, and Hellebuyck turned aside a Roope Hintz shot.

Dallas came up empty on its second man advantage with six minutes remaining.

The Jets were the stronger side in the opening period, outshooting the visitors 13-4.

Hellebuyck was well-oiled early in the second frame, whipping out his glove to make a close-in save on Stars defenceman Thomas Harley.

The goaltender also had a hand in Scheifele's fourth goal of the playoffs at 6:17.

After Hellebuyck made a poke check to start the four-on-four play, Scheifele was the trailer and shot the puck that first hit Stars forward Wyatt Johnson and then went into the net off Harley's skate.

Winnipeg almost made it 2-0 on the power play with 53 seconds remaining, but it was ruled the puck was