The Dallas Stars head into Game 1 of their Western Conference Second Round matchup against the Winnipeg Jets with renewed confidence after surviving a grueling seven-game series against the Colorado Avalanche, where they showcased their offensive depth, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure. A defining moment for Dallas came in Game 7, when Mikko Rantanen delivered a clutch hat trick that not only propelled them past a talented Colorado squad but also reignited an offense that had, at times, struggled to finish during the first round. Rantanen’s surge, combined with consistent contributions from Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, and Jason Robertson, gives the Stars the kind of scoring balance that will be necessary against a well-structured Winnipeg defense. Jake Oettinger remains the backbone of this team in net, and his steady performance against the Avalanche, marked by key saves in high-pressure moments, has elevated Dallas’s confidence entering the second round. Oettinger’s ability to track the puck, remain calm under traffic, and outduel opposing netminders gives the Stars a crucial advantage if the series trends toward low-scoring, goaltender-driven games. Defensively, Dallas plays a tight, responsible style that emphasizes limiting high-danger chances, clearing rebounds quickly, and using their mobility on the blue line to transition effectively into offense—an area they’ll aim to exploit if the Jets show signs of vulnerability in coverage or net-front battles.

However, Dallas must address some of their recent issues against the spread, particularly in day games and within the Central Division, where they’ve failed to cover in five of their last six, a trend they’ll need to reverse to build momentum in this series. Special teams will also be vital, and the Stars’ power play, though streaky, has shown the ability to swing games when clicking, especially when Robertson and Hintz find open lanes. One of the biggest challenges for Dallas will be weathering Winnipeg’s early push, as the Jets are notoriously dominant when leading after the first period—going unbeaten in such scenarios during the regular season—and the Stars must avoid playing from behind if they hope to steal Game 1 on the road. Dallas’s path to success lies in keeping the crowd quiet early, executing on special teams, and leaning on their core leadership group, including veterans like Joe Pavelski, who brings invaluable playoff savvy to a lineup loaded with emerging stars. With a blend of experience, structure, and recent offensive firepower, the Stars are well-equipped to challenge the Jets, but they’ll need to play a disciplined, complete 60 minutes and find ways to disrupt Winnipeg’s transition game if they want to flip home-ice advantage in their favor. Game 1 will test Dallas’s ability to quickly shift gears from a taxing series to a new, physical opponent, and if they can maintain their composure and continue riding Oettinger’s steady glove, they’ll have every opportunity to start this round with a statement win.