Preview: Dallas Stars @ Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets’ players should be well rested for Friday night’s contest at the Canada Life Centre since they haven’t played since Tuesday’s 2-1 win over the New York Rangers. Yet tonight’s opposition has had an even bigger break, as the Dallas Stars haven’t played since Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
The fans at the CLC should be in for a treat when the game gets underway, as the Central Division’s top two franchises will be battling for the #1 spot so they can avoid a first round playoff match up against the Colorado Avalanche. Winnipeg is currently tied with the Washington Capitals for the top spot in the National Hockey League, while the Dallas Stars are only 8 points back to rest in the league’s 3rd spot.
The Jets (45-17-4) haven’t played to the best of their abilities since the 4 Nations break (6-3-1), although the 2nd forward line of Nikolaj Ehlers, Vladislav Namestnikov, & Cole Perfetti have been extremely effective amidst the trade rumours swirling around Winnipeg’s need to add a 2C at the trade deadline. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff didn’t end up making that move, so hopefully the trio can keep it up through the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs.
The Stars (42-20-2) have been making a charge since the mid-season break (7-2-0) and they only got tougher when GM Jim Nill added star forward Mikko Rantanen (3 pts in 2 gms) at the deadline. Dallas trails Winnipeg in the standings, but with 2 games in hand and a couple of head-to-head contests the division title is still very much up for grabs.
Winnipeg & Dallas will be meeting for the third of four times this season and have so far split the series as the home team had walked away victorious in the first 2 contests. There are some lineup questions still up in the air for both teams, as the Jets have had a couple of players miss two straight practices, Neal Pionk & Ehlers, while the Stars look like they will be without Roope Hintz after he took a puck in the face. Here is how PuckPedia is projecting the coaches to line up the players at this time:
I read recently that Winnipeg’s starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is 10 wins away from tying an NHL record for most victories in an NHL campaign (48). With 50 starts in 2024-25, the goaltender could easily be the quickest to reach that mark since it took Brayden Holtby (2015-16) 66 starts to hit 48 wins, while Martin Brodeur (2006-07) did it in a massive 78 starts. Since the Jets only have 16 games remaining, that accolade might be out of reach if the team has any plans to give Bucky a bit of a break before the post-season kicks off.
Time to check out the season’s statistics and see how the Jets & Stars match up, as well as take the time to look at the potential starters in ESPN’s Goalie Comparison:
As the numbers clearly show….these are two very good hockey teams that are going to clash when the puck drops at 7 pm Central. The difference between almost all the numbers is minimal so if the game goes to plan, it should be a fight to the final horn.
Lets hear your thoughts on the upcoming game in the Comment section. Will Winnipeg hold off their southern neighbours to expand their lead in the Central? Can the Jets’ top line rediscover their “A” game to help the squad to a big victory? Will the coaching staff keep the 3rd pairing of Haydn Fleury & Luke Schenn in tact or will we see a return of Logan Stanley to the lineup?
Little update from the minors, as the Manitoba Moose lost a 4-3 heart-breaker last night, hurting their chances at making a late charge for the AHL Central’s final wildcard spot. The game did see Jets’ prospect Brad Lambert pick up a pair of assists and the surprising surge of Fabian Wagner continue with his 4th & 5th goals in the last four contests.
Can’t wait for the weekend to get here…..back is acting up again and looking forward to a couple days of relaxing to allow it time to heal.
Go Winnipeg!!!!!!...
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