Gameday: Stars at Jets

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets continue their two game homestand tonight against the Dallas Stars. They started it with a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday. Tonight’s game is a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference. It’s the third meeting this season between the Central Division rivals with the final matchup coming on Apr. 10.

The Jets lead the Stars by eight points for first place in the division, but Dallas has two games in hand on Winnipeg. They have spilt the season series so far with each team winning on home ice.

“Yeah, these guys, Colorado, Minny, anybody in your division, it’s always an exciting time. They’re always heavily contested games. They made their changes at the deadline, as did we,” said head coach Scott Arniel.

“It’s a situation that we’ve talked about right from training camp, the importance of being the best in the Central Division. We haven’t seen them in quite a while, they’ve made some changes and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Jets added forward Brandon Tanev and defenceman Luke Schenn to bolster their lineup at the deadline. Dallas landed the big fish dealing for Mikko Rantanen, however, the Stars are without Tyler Seguin, Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz tonight.

Make sure you watch the Jets pregame show "The Check In" at 12:30 CT on X, Facebook or YouTube.

“Hopefully we're sharp and ready because mistakes against a team like Dallas, where they don't give up a whole lot but they're also very dangerous off the rush, very dangerous in-zone, the difference in the game could be one or two mistakes,” said Adam Lowry.

“Obviously we were able to shut the door against New York (on Tuesday) but there were some areas and some chances they had where Helly had to come up big and some uncharacteristic things that we don't want to do every night."

Connor Hellebuyck will be facing his 4 Nations Face-Off USA teammate Jake Oettinger tonight. The Jets goaltender continues to lead the important statistical categories and remains the front runner for the Vezina Trophy and in the conversation for the Hart Trophy as well. Hellebuyck gave a lot of praise to his teammates as to why he looks like he’s playing some of his best hockey right now.

“I can see pucks and the majority of the shots are outside and we're keeping our Grade As down to a minimal. And when I'm called upon, I'm ready. And when I am called upon it's consistent,” said Hellebuyck.

“It's usually the same type of chances and the same things and I can see them develop and I can get ahead of them. It's a lot of fun playing behind these guys and I think everyone in this locker room is having a lot of fun playing the way we are.”

There will be a change to the Jets lineup tonight as Neal Pionk will not be available as he is out week-to-week. So Schenn will move up to the right side with Dylan Samberg and Colin Miller comes back into the lineup alongside Haydn Fleury and will be on the second power play unit.

“Yeah, it will be obviously different. Obviously unfortunate with him (Pionk) not playing but it is what it is,” said Dylan Samberg.

“Schenner is a great guy, and he’s already taught me a lot here, he’s got a lot of wisdom. So, I’m excited to play with him.”

Pionk is having a fantastic season with 37 points in 66 games and is a career best +21. Clearly what is important now is getting him healthy in time for the playoffs and this situation is another example of why it’s important to have depth.

“We do need him for the long run,” said Arniel.

“As much as he wants to play, this is the right decision.”

The Jets have lost eight of the past 12 meetings with the Stars (4-5-3). Six of the past 14 games between Winnipeg and Dallas have been decided in overtime or a shootout. The Jets penalty kill has been a perfect 100% (15-for-15) in the past five games against Dallas.