WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Dallas Stars could no longer ride the high from their last two games.

After hat tricks in back-to-back games for Mikko Rantanen, the Stars were humbled early by the Jets attack and their offense went cold in a 4-0 loss in Game 2 at Canada Life Centre.

The series returns to Dallas tied 1-1, with the Stars stealing an important win in Game 1.

But the Jets’ response in Game 2 was concerning, as a Winnipeg team that’s underperformed all playoffs seemed to have awoken.

Here are five thoughts from the Stars’ Game 2 loss:

Shades of regular season

Friday’s game was much more in line with the regular-season series between the Stars and Jets than Game 1.

In four regular-season meetings, the Jets outscored the Stars 13-5. Winnipeg’s power play, overall offensive effort and goaltending proved to be far too much for the Stars to overcome when they met in the regular season and became key reasons the Jets went on to win the Presidents’ Trophy.

The Jets looked like the better team and a Stanley Cup contender again Friday, overcoming a shaky start to their playoff run. They scored just 3:35 into the game, added a second tally less than four minutes later and never looked back.

Just like many of their regular-season meetings, the Stars weren’t able to find an answer offensively, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was a big reason.

Playing from behind

The Stars have sacrificed the first goal in eight of nine playoff games. They only scored first in their 6-2 rout of Colorado in Game 5.

Dallas has managed to come back after four of those early deficits, but it dug far too big of a hole Friday to recover.

Tyler Seguin committed a high-sticking penalty that was called a double minor just 17 seconds into the game. Toward the end of that four-minute power play, Gabriel Vilardi scored the Jets’ first goal. Minutes later, Nikolaj Ehlers’ shot bounced off Esa Lindell’s skate and in.

The Stars have recovered from multigoal deficits before, like in the third period of Game 7, but didn’t have the necessary push in Game 2.

In the regular season, the Stars were 31-11-4 when scoring first compared with 19-15-2 when trailing first.

Connor Hellebuyck puts up MVP performance

The Jets’ starting goalie is a Hart Trophy finalist for a reason, and he looked the part in Game 2.

Hellebuyck made 22 saves, including a handful of diving stops late in the second period when the Stars had one of their strongest pushes. He stymied any momentum the Stars built, keeping them off the board entirely.

Friday marked just the fourth shutout in 53 career playoff games for Hellebuyck.

Hellebuyck was inconsistent in the first round against St. Louis, posting an .830 save percentage and a 3.85 goals-against average. On the road, his numbers were far worse, with a .758 save percentage and a 7.24 goals-against average, so the real test will be how he fares when the series makes its way to Dallas on Sunday.

Penalties remain an issue

Penalties have been an issue for Dallas throughout the playoffs, and the wrong players have been the culprits as of late.

Earlier in the playoffs, it was Mason Marchment and Lian Bichsel, two of Dallas’ most physical players, responsible for the penalties. But Friday, the Stars’ veterans committed costly penalties early.

Seguin’s high-sticking double minor on his first shift led to Winnipeg’s first goal. Captain Jamie Benn then negated a Stars power play by tripping Adam Lowry. Whether Lowry embellished or not, Benn’s stick was in the wrong spot at a time it didn’t need to be there.

Dallas committed seven penalties Friday. Winnipeg finished 1 for 5 on the power play.

Stars return home in comfortable spot

A 4-0 loss is never comforting in the playoffs, but the Stars accomplished what they needed in Winnipeg.

Dallas split with the Jets, who had home-ice advantage entering the series, meaning the Stars have overtaken that edge. All they have to do is win Games 3, 4 and 6 at home to secure the series.

That, of course, is easier said than done, but Dallas is typically at its best after losses, especially demoralizing ones. The Stars have not dropped two games in a row yet in the postseason. Under Pete DeBoer, they are 14-5 after a playoff loss.

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