The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars head to American Airlines Center tonight for a pivotal Game 3 as each club looks to take a 2-1 lead in this second-round series.
After scoring back-to-back hat tricks, Mikko Rantanen was held off the scoresheet in Game 2, but I see him getting right back to his scoring ways in my Jets vs Stars NHL picks for Sunday, May 11.
Best Jets vs Stars props
Rantanen anytime goal (+140)
Ehlers o2.5 shots (-135)- Hellebuyck u22.5 saves (-110)
Jets vs Stars player props for May 11
Mikko Rantanen anytime goal (+140 at Bet99)
The Dallas Stars were stymied in Game 2 as Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 21 shots he faced, helping the Winnipeg Jets skate to a 4-0 win. With that, Mikko Rantanen had his four-game goal streak halted.
Rantanen had a slow start to his postseason with no goals and just one assist through his first four contests, but he came into form toward the end of the first round against the Avalanche, where he notched five goals in the final three games.
The Stars winger has now notched eight goals over his last five contests — a stretch that includes a hat trick in Game 7 vs. the Avs and another three-goal performance vs. the Jets in Game 1.
Rantanen has been all over the net this postseason, leading the league with eight goals, and is one of just four skaters with 30+ shots on net.
According to Natural Stat Trick, he also ranks tied for third in high-danger chances (19) and fourth in individual expected goals (4.71), which means he’s not just getting lucky — he’s converting on quality chances.
Look for the sharpshooter to get back on track with another goal in Game 3.
Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 shots on goal (-135 at Bet99)
Nikolaj Ehlers returned to the Jets lineup in Game 6 of the first round against the Blues and immediately provided an offensive boost. The speedy winger put three pucks on net in that game and has continued to fire the rubber with regularity.
Ehlers has notched 3+ shots in three of his four appearances, including seven in a three-point performance against the Stars last time out, while averaging 4.25 shots per game this postseason.
Based on per 60 rates, Ehlers leads the Jets in virtually every shooting category this postseason, including shots per 60 (13.52), shot attempts per 60 (32.62), scoring chances per 60 (16.71), and expected goals per 60 (2.41).
Coming off a two-goal, three-point outing in Game 2, Ehlers should be flying and hungry for more in Game 3.
Connor Hellebuyck Under 22.5 saves (-110 at Bet99)
It’s been a pretty rocky postseason for Hellebuyck, who sports an .854 SV% to go along with a 3.32 GAA through nine appearances, but he had his best performance of the playoffs so far in Game 2 as he stopped 21 shots to blank the Stars.
Winnipeg has still managed to pick up wins despite Hellebuyck’s struggles thanks to their stingy defense, which is why the netminder will record another low save total in Game 3.
The Jets are giving up just 23.4 shots per game in the playoffs — the best mark among all 16 teams that have skated this postseason. That’s translated into a fairly light workload for Hellebuyck, who’s made Under 22.5 saves in eight of nine games.
The Stars have not found a way to break through the Jets’ defenses yet, tallying 24 shots in Game 1 and 21 in Game 2.
Whether it’s a 21-save shutout or an 18-save stinker, I expect another light night between the pipes for Hellebuyck.
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