The Jets arrive in Dallas with momentum, but the bigger picture still hangs over them. Winnipeg has won four straight and has pulled itself closer to the playoff race, yet it remains on the outside looking in.
That makes this meeting with the Stars more than just another game on the schedule. Dallas is three points ahead of Winnipeg and has two games in hand, so the Jets have a real chance to chip into the gap against a division rival.
Winnipeg also gets a boost from the return of Josh Morrissey, who was back for the last game after missing just over a month. He looked like he hadn’t missed a step, which is exactly the kind of development the Jets needed with the stretch run tightening up.
The projected Winnipeg lineup has Connor, Scheifele and Vilardi together on the top line, with Perfetti, Yager and Mercer behind them. Björck, Lowry and Iafallo make up the third unit, while Koepke, Barron and Rosén are listed on the fourth.
On defense, Morrissey pairs with DeMelo, Samberg skates with Pionk, and Ferraro is with Bauer. Skinner is the projected starter, with Daws and Stevenson also listed.
Dallas is expected to counter with Benn, Johnston and Rantanen up front, followed by Robertson, Hintz and Hyry. Steel, Hryckowian and Seguin form the third line, while Kiviranta, Faksa and Perron round out the forwards.
On the blue line, Bichsel and Lindell are paired together, Harley and Lundkvist are next, and Taylor and Myers make up the third pair. Oettinger is projected in goal, with DeSmith backing him up.
Those line combinations come via Robert Tiffin, who covers the Stars for NHL.com.
Winnipeg’s skate starts at 12:30 PM CDT, and coach media availability is still to come.
The matchup sets up as a tough one for the Jets. Dallas has been hard to beat, especially at home, and Winnipeg will need another sharp road effort to keep its winning streak rolling. The Jets have looked more dangerous offensively during this run, while the Stars continue to lean on depth and a balanced attack to create chances.
In Other News...
Stars Just Got A Painful Reminder About Dawson Mercer
Dawson Mercer has wasted little time making his mark in Winnipeg, and the early return looks a lot like the kind of addition that can change a teams depth chart in a hurry. Since arriving from New Jersey, Mercer has settled onto the second line and into a power-play role, and the Jets have been leaning on that versatility as part of their recent winning streak. Head coach Scott Arniel has already pointed to Mercers growing confidence and comfort, which is usually a good sign when a player is still in the early stages of finding his footing with a new club.
For the Jets, the encouraging part is not just the production, but how quickly Mercer has fit into the rhythm of the roster. Five goals and three assists in his first 10 games is the kind of start that forces opponents to take notice, especially when it comes from a player who can help in multiple situations. The Stars, in particular, have now been reminded that Winnipegs newest impact piece is already looking more like a long-term problem than a short-term spark. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Winning Streak Now Comes With A Tough Blue Line Decision
The Jets kept rolling with an 8-3 win over Dallas, pushing their winning streak to five games, but the night came with a familiar kind of concern on the back end. Dylan DeMelo left with a week-to-week injury, and now Winnipeg has to sort out how to keep its blue line steady while the schedule keeps moving.
The club is set to practice in Chicago, where a recall of Henry Thrun appears likely to fill the opening left by DeMelo. Meanwhile, the Manitoba Moose are also in Illinois on a road trip of their own, getting ready to face the IceHogs after splitting their games against Dallas, a reminder that the organizations depth is being tested at more than one level right now. [Read more 🡒]
Stars Just Made A Quiet Blue Line Move Worth Noticing
The Dallas Stars made a subtle blue-line adjustment by activating defenseman Luke Krys from the injured/non-roster list and sending him to Texas in the AHL, a move that keeps their organizational depth moving even if it does not change the NHL picture right away. For a team trying to stay organized on the back end, these little roster shuffles often matter more than they first appear, especially when injuries start forcing clubs to keep one eye on the present and another on the pipeline.
Around the league, the injury picture has started to shift as well, with Vancouver defenseman Tom Willander back from a lower-body issue and available to play. Winnipeg, meanwhile, still has forward Isak Rosen sidelined and unavailable, a reminder that availability can change the tone of a roster just as quickly as a transaction can. [Read more 🡒]