It’s almost time for the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs second round and two bitter Central Division rivals will battle it out for the first time. The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars are due to bring their regular-season rivalry into the playoffs, and it’s just one sleep away.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Dating back to the 1999-2000 season, the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars have played a total of 60 games against each other. Dallas owns a 33-25-2 record while the Jets own a 27-32-1 record. Both teams look for their first playoff and series win against the other.
In their 2024-25 season, the Winnipeg Jets are 3-1 against the Stars, having won both home games at Canada Life Centre and splitting the road series 1-1 at American Airlines Center.
The Jets’ home record is 30-7-4 while their away record is 26-15-0. The Jets are also 4-0 at home and 0-3 on the road in the playoffs. Dallas shapes up their home record of 28-10-3 while their away record is 22-16-3
Winnipeg Jets 2024-25 Season By The Numbers:
2024-25 Season Record: 56-22-4, Presidents’ Trophy Winners
Power Play: 28.9% (1st in the NHL)
Penalty Kill: 79.4% (13th in the NHL)
Goals For Per Game: 3.4 GF/G (3rd in the NHL)
Goals Against Per Game: 2.3 GA/G (1st in the NHL)
Goal Differential: Plus-86
Home Record: 30-7-4
Away Record: 26-15-10
Regulation Wins: 43
Regulation & Overtime Wins: 54
Longest Win Streak: 11 games
Longest Losing Streak: Four games
Dallas Stars 2024-25 Season By The Numbers:
2024-25 Season Record: 50-26-6, second in the Central Division
Power Play: 22.0%(17th in the NHL)
Penalty Kill: 82.0% (4th in the NHL)
Goals For Per Game: 3.4 GF/G (4th in the NHL)
Goals Against Per Game: 2.7 GA/G (16tht in the NHL)
Goal Differential: Plus-53
Home Record: 28-10-3
Away Record: 22-16-3
Regulation Wins: 41
Regulation & Overtime Wins: 48
Longest Win Streak: Seven games (two occasions)
Longest Losing Streak: Seven games
Storylines to Watch
USA’s Backup to be Laid to Rest, Sort Of: How does one goalie, let alone two, come into this series and argue they should be the number one guy for the same national team? This storyline stems from the 4-Nations Faceoff when Connor Hellebuyck dominated the crease and Jake Oettinger found no playing time. For Hellebuyck, it’s the bookmark in another chapter. For Oettinger, it’s just more salt in the wound.
It’s All About Hellebuyck & the Jets on the Road: This is a massive factor and it’s make or break in my opinion. The Winnipeg Jets need to pick up a win on the road, and Connor Hellebuyck must be an even bigger contributor to the Jets’ road success.
Special Teams More Important: Above all else, special teams are far more important for the Jets and Stars in this series. If either team can lock down a dominant power play and/or penalty kill, it might be game over for the other.
Rantanen Back in the Central: Rantanen being back in the Central Division is a huge issue for the Winnipeg Jets, who look to push themselves back into the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. If Rantanen continues his monstrous pace to no answer by the Jets, it could mean an early game over.
Players to Watch
Winnipeg Jets
G, Connor Hellebuyck – Hellebuyck is coming off a rather rough series, but he likely overcame the mental hurdle that was the first round and playoff nerves. Some called it the playoff yips, but this is just the beginning for Hellebuyck and a lengthy playoff run.
C, Cole Perfetti – Perfetti just came off one of the greatest single-game performances by a player in a Winnipeg Jets uniform. Not only did he score the first goal to bring the Jets alive, but he scored the game-tying goal with 1.6 seconds left in the third period in game seven to force overtime. He’s been an integral piece of the Jets’ secondary scoring and has evolved into a star as he scores in big moments when it matters most, and his 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs run is proof of that.
LW, Nikolaj Ehlers – Ehlers just introduced himself to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and his impact is felt. He’s been up and down the ice and is a constant for the Winnipeg Jets. If he impacts the scoresheet in round two and can even out the playing field against Dallas, the Jets are in good hands.
D, Neal Pionk – After Pionk’s game seven performance, his stock has risen significantly, and he looks like a warrior for the Winnipeg Jets currently. After Morrissey’s unfortunate exit, Pionk stepped up and played a significant role in the Jets advancing to round two. I am certain this will continue in round two for Pionk and the Jets.
Dallas Stars
C, Matt Duchene – Duchene led the Stars with 82 points (30G, 52A) in 82 games played this season. He’s been a force since joining the Stars and will look to build on his success with a strong postseason performance.
G, Jake Oettinger – The Hellebuyck vs Oettinger Team USA backup narrative is one I’ve harped on a bit, but this series proves it to be make or break. Oettinger will look
RW, Mikko Rantanen – After the Stars picked up Rantanen at the 2025 Trade Deadline and signed him long-term, that changed the landscape of the Central Division. The Stars showed they weren’t afraid to make a big move, and now it’s paying off for them. Rantanen could also become their biggest contributor in round two if they want to advance.
D, Miro Heiskanen – With a return looming, Heiskanen could be the final piece to the puzzle that the Stars need in order to get over the hump. Heiskanen has been sidelined for some time now and will look to bring himself back in a crucial moment for the Stars.
ITR 36: Coaching Carousel – Inside The Rink
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