Line Combinations: Jets at Stars

Winnipeg's toughest test of the season begins Thursday, when the Jets open a seven-game stretch against nothing but Stanley Cup contenders with a visit to the Dallas Stars, one of their most heated divisional rivals. 

Coming off three consecutive defeats, the Jets are in need of a win to set the tone, but the Stars arrive with some momentum of their own after winning three in a row and history is not on Winnipeg's side. 

Dallas has won seven of the last eight meetings between the clubs, a run that dates back to Game 3 of the 2025 playoff series. Even with Connor Hellebuyck, an elite netminder, standing in the crease, the Jets couldn't keep the Stars' potent attack in check, as Dallas has put up at least three goals in each of the last four meetings.

Still, the tide could be shifting, however, as this season the Stars have managed only 22 goals in nine games, an average of 2.44 per night that matches the Detroit Red Wings for the sixth-lowest mark in the league. Winnipeg is barely ahead at 2.67 goals per game, which also sits among the bottom nine teams in the NHL. It could make for a night where the attention turns to the goaltenders and for the Jets, Stuart Skinner. 

The 27-year-old over his career has an 11-9-1 record with a 2.75 goals against average and a .894 save percentage in 21 games versus the Stars. Meanwhile, Jake Oettinger has a 9-4-1 record with a 2.51 goals against average and a .905 save percentage in 14 games versus the Jets.

Connor - Scheifele - Perfetti

Iafallo - Björck - Vilardi

Yager - Lowry - Rosén

Niederrieter - Barron - Lambert

Samberg - Pionk

Ferraro - DeMelo

Fleury - Bauer

Skinner

Healthy Scratches: St. Ivany

Injured: Morrissey, Salomonsson, Namestnikov

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