Stars' potent offense clashes with Jets' defensive grit. Key matchups and a crucial goalie duel define this playoff-charged showdown.
The Dallas Stars are peaking at the right time, winning five of their last six games as they chase second place in the Central Division and home-ice advantage for a likely first-round playoff matchup with Minnesota. They host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday in a matchup very different from earlier in the season when Dallas was stuck in a slump.
Since then, the Stars’ offense has come alive, outscoring opponents 20 to 14 during their recent surge, with scoring depth across all lines and Matt Duchene heating up after a slow start. Dallas has already beaten Winnipeg twice this season in one-goal road games, with the final two meetings now shifting to Texas.
Winnipeg enters the game fighting to stay in the playoff race, having earned points in 10 of its last 14 games despite losing 10 of its last 17 overall, many by a single goal. The Jets continue to rely on a strong defensive structure that keeps games close, but offense remains an issue, with just 12 goals scored in their last seven games, half coming from their top line.
As both teams push for postseason positioning, the matchup sets up as a high-intensity test of Dallas’ momentum against Winnipeg’s urgency, with Jake Oettinger and Connor Hellebuyck headlining a critical goalie duel.
Dallas Stars’ Expected Line Combinations vs. Winnipeg (Monday)
Hryckowian - Johnston - Rantanen
Robertson - Hintz - Bourque
Steel - Duchene - Benn
Back - Faksa - Erne
Lindell - Heiskanen
Harley - Lundkvist
Capobianco - Petrovic
Oettinger
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