GAMEDAY: Stars at Jets Game 2

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets are hoping they can get back in the win column when they host the Dallas Stars for Game 2 of their Second Round series tonight (8:30 CT TV: Sportsnet; Radio: 680 CJOB/Power 97) at Canada Life Centre.

The Jets played a pretty good third period during the 3-2 loss to the Stars in Game 1, but they are hoping for a much better start to the night than on Wednesday.

“There is a directness to our game when we are at our best. For whatever reason, we didn’t have that at the start,” said Adam Lowry.

“With the different style, you felt like there was a little more there, a few more plays that you could make. The execution, just get through the first couple of shifts, going north and being direct.”

The Stars are a patient team that waits for their opponent to make a mistake and then their transition game along with their skill makes them a dangerous team. Winnipeg must adapt to the fact that they have a little more time to make plays and not rush things.

“They (Dallas) are obviously physical as well but they’re also there to steal pucks where I felt St. Louis was looking just to run us to be honest,” said Dylan DeMelo.

“Maybe there were times where we’d give up the puck when guys were close, just anticipating getting hit from the previous series and then early in that first period, that was evident. We were kind of throwing pucks away where maybe we could’ve had a chance to hold onto it or maybe make a better play.”

Watch the pregame show "The Check In" with Sara Orlesky and Jamie Thomas.

Dallas is more than just one player as they have a ton of talent up front but it would be foolish not to pay attention to what Mikko Rantanen is doing right now. The Finnish winger has a hand in the last 12 Stars goals and could become the first player in NHL history with three straight hat tricks (regular season or playoffs).

“You have to make him work to get to the open ice,” said Lowry.

“I think we got a little loose in our structure on a couple of them that he was able to get a tip on the one, he was able to get the net-front positioning. But I think the plays before that lead into those chances for him.”

The Jets will look exactly the same up front as they did in Game 1, but it appears that Josh Morrissey will be back after leaving the first period of Sunday’s game. Morrissey slotted in beside Dylan DeMelo on the top defence pairing at the morning skate. Just like adding their top centreman (Mark Scheifele) in Game 1, there is a huge advantage to having their number one defenceman back.

“He's a part of our rush, he's a part of that offensive side. He has a skill set that when the puck's on his stick, whether it's a pass or whether him shooting it, you know what he does with that shot of his,” said Arniel.

“We've seen it often diving in. But the other side, too, his feet, his mobility – they have more than just one good player that's playing really well right now.”

Haydn Fleury moved down to join Colin Miller on the third pairing, so Luke Schenn is the odd man out on the blueline. Fleury is coming off back-to-back solid performances and Miller will play the right side.

“We had to use everybody last series because of the injuries and certain circumstances in that series. But again, Haydn stepped in for us, was fantastic in Game 7, played another game in the St. Louis series,” said Arniel.

“Just another guy that's been here all year that's kind of helped fill some of these holes when we've had some injuries and played extremely well. Again, another skill set. He's real mobile, he can skate out of trouble.”

The Jets are hoping the addition of Morrissey will jumpstart their power play which went 0-for-4 in Game 1. They are now 2-for-14 on the power play at home in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, Dallas is a perfect 12-for-12 on the penalty kill over their last four games.