The Winnipeg Jets are into round three of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time.

Paul Stastny had two goals and an assist and Connor Hellebuyck made 36 saves as Winnipeg defeated the Nashville Predators 5-1 in the deciding seventh game of their Western Conference semifinal Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

Mark Scheifele also scored twice for the Jets who won three times in Nashville.

Tyler Myers had the other Winnipeg goal.

P.K. Subban had the lone goal for the Predators.

Pekka Rinne was replaced by Juuse Saros in the Nashville net after giving up first period goals by Myers and Stastny.

The Jets will face the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday (6 p.m.) at Bell MTS Place in game one of the NHL's Western Conference final.


photo courtesy Ray Peters