Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 22 shots he faced, Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, and Winnipeg shut out the Dallas Stars 4–0 Thursday night at Canada Life Centre to extend the series.

It was exactly the kind of effort Jets fans have been waiting for. Structured, physical, and confident. Hellebuyck looked dialled in from the opening shift and got the support he’s been missing.

“That was a great team win, took everyone and we’re going to have to do it again,” Hellebuyck said.

He became the seventh reigning Jennings Trophy winner to post a shutout when facing elimination. He’s also the only goalie in franchise history to record five playoff shutouts, with two coming in this series.

Mark Scheifele opened the scoring late in the first period. His shot bounced off Wyatt Johnston’s stick, then off Thomas Harley’s skate, and fooled Jake Oettinger. Not a pretty one, but they all count.

“I think the goal off our own skate, the 4-on-4 goal, that’s a tough one to give up,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer. “Then you give up the 5-on-3 goal.”

That 5-on-3 came early in the second. Ehlers hammered a one-timer from the left circle to double the lead. From there, the Jets never looked back.

Hellebuyck made one of his best saves just after the intermission, robbing Harley on a clean look from the slot.

“That was incredible, but it’s what he’s done for us all year,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry. “Another stellar game by him. We have so much confidence in Connor and what he means to our team.”

Vladislav Namestnikov added a third goal in the third period, finishing off a slick setup from Kyle Connor, who picked up two assists. Ehlers added an empty-netter with under three minutes left.

“It’s unfortunate that we got into this position,” Hellebuyck said. “But I believe in this group, I believe in myself and I believe in all of our fans. We’re going to keep competing and leave it all out there.”

Things got testy near the end. Jamie Benn and Scheifele exchanged words and a few shots behind the play. Benn was tossed with a game misconduct, and the crowd loved it.

“It might take seven,” said Matt Duchene. “They’re a good enough team, it could. We’ll see what happens.”

Game 6 is Saturday in Dallas. If the Jets can finally get a win on the road, there will be a Game 7 back in Winnipeg.