Thomas' Three Storylines - WPG @ DAL

NO BOWNESS, NO PROBLEM
With no major issues during training camp and through six preseason games, it was certainly a shock to hear that Rick Bowness had tested positive for COVID and would not be behind the bench for the season opener. The Jets went onto a 4-1 win with associate coach Scott Arniel calling the shots against the Rangers. Bowness will not be available again tonight against the Stars and the earliest he could be back will be for Wednesday's battle with the Avalanche in Denver. Bowness has given each of his coaches a lot of responsibilities and so the Jets look to be in good hands as they went for his return.

FOURTH LINE IMPORTANT
From the start of camp, the coaching staff has talked about the importance of the fourth line. With the pace that the Jets want to play, they don't want to burn out their star players especially this week when they have four games in six days. Sam Gagner, Saku Mäenalanen and David Gustafsson came through with the game winning goal on Friday night. Gustafsson recorded his first NHL assist on Gagner's goal and says this is the most fun he's had playing hockey.
"I've never been that happy on the ice. You're in the NHL and you feel like you're contributing," said Gustafsson today after the morning skate in Dallas.
"It was just fun being a part of the team. I had a blast last game and I hope we can keep that going. In the end, you need all four lines and I think that we showed that last game that it's important."
CLOSE GAMES
The Jets and Stars are Central Division rivals and the two teams have played five consecutive games decided by one goal. All five of those contests have gone to overtime or a shootout and Winnipeg has lost three consecutive overtime games to the Stars. Mark Scheifele scored the shootout winner in the Jets 4-3 victory over Dallas for the Jets only win against Dallas last season.