The Jets used a roster spot to activate Zuerlein late in the season but he was scratched before the game when he was re-injured, according to the team. The Jets would save $2.4 million by cutting Zuerlein, but also carry $2.3 million in dead money.

Game 5 is at Winnipeg on Thursday, when the Stars will have their first chance to advance to the West final for the third year in a row.

Mikael Granlund had his first career playoff hat trick, Jake Oettinger stopped 31 shots and the Dallas Stars beat Winnipeg 3-1 on Tuesday night, taking a 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Jets in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored as the Stars' penalty expired, tying the game at 1-1 with a sharp-angle shot. A poorly timed pinch from Neal Pionk awarded the Stars a man advantage, which Granlund once again made the Jets pay.

In this edition, former Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato writes about the Western Conference Second Round. The Dallas Stars lead the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in the best-of-7 series entering Game 4 at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, CBC).

Mikael Granlund scored three goals and Jake Oettinger made 31 saves in the Stars’ 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of their second-round series Tuesday night at American Airlines Center. The win gave Dallas a 3-1 series lead and extended the Jets’ staggering road playoff losing streak to nine games,

Connor Hellebuyck’s play on the road in the Winnipeg Jets goal is the biggest detriment to the Stanley Cup hopes of the Presidents’ Trophy winner. Hellebuyck allowed five goals to the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference second-round series.

Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets have made a sudden change to their special teams unit, releasing veteran punter Thomas Morstead.