The Winnipeg Jets easily handled the Dallas Stars last night, which was further proof to the rest of the league that this team is for real and wants a Stanley Cup. Connor Hellebuyck closed the door on all 24 shots he faced for his franchise-record 45th win and league-leading eighth shutout in the <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/insider-drops-strong-statement-about-the-winnipeg-jets-that-has-fans-talking' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Winnipeg Jets' 4-0 rout of the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.</a> The win left Winnipeg one point from clinching the Western Conference top seed with only three games left. Kyle Connor scored twice in the third period to hit 40 goals on the season, and Nino Niederreiter and Morgan Barron also scored. The <a href='https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-04-10/wildcard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Jets improved to 54-21-4 and 112 points,</a> surpassing their single-season franchise mark for victories and inching closer to their first division championship in franchise history. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NHLJetsNation/status/1910522817474425287'> </a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.nhl.com/jets/player/connor-hellebuyck-8476945' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Hellebuyck</a> is constructing a Vezina-caliber season, poised to become the first goaltender since 1986 to top the NHL in wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts. The Jets are 48-3-1 when they tally three or more goals, and are undefeated in regulation when ahead after the first period (29-0-3) or second period(40-0-1). <h3>Dallas is tumbling as of late, further cementing the Jets as Division champs</h3> Dallas, on the other hand, was shut out for the first time this season and has not won in its last four (0-2-2). Their division title chase is now in serious jeopardy as they fell six points back of the Jets. After taking apart a top contender, the message is simple: the Jets are issuing a declaration of war on the Western Conference. With a 4-0 shutout win and Hellebuyck's eighth shutout of the season, the Jets aren't just hot - they're declaring war on the Western Conference. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/JackCanada22/status/1910524431971373367'> </a></blockquote></div> With goaltending at an elite level, offense upfront, and a defense that stifles, Winnipeg isn't just looking at the No. 1 seed; it's issuing a statement. The rest of the West has been warned: this team is going for all of it and wants to reach the Finals.