The Central Division rivals will play again Thursday at American Airlines Center. They met twice in November; the Jets won 3-2 in overtime in Winnipeg on Nov. 10, and Dallas won 5-3 at home on Nov. 21. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck will start for the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six of their past eight games (6-2-0). Hellebuyck was 8-2-1 in November and led the NHL with a 1.85 goals-against average and .944 save percentage last month. The Stars look to end a three-game winless streak (0-2-1). They lost 3-2 in a shootout at the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, and have scored three goals in their past three games.
Players to watch
Stars goalie Anton Khudobin is expected start in what would be his 200th NHL game. He is 6-1-1 in his last eight appearances, including two wins in relief. Jets forward Patrik Laine has five points (one goal, four assists) in his past three games, and leads the Jets with 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists).
They said it
"I never look forward to playing the Jets. But with that schedule in mind, it is nice to be able to play the same team. It's kind of like a little mini playoff series." -- Stars coach Jim Montgomery on facing Winnipeg twice in three days "They're huge games for points-wise, and obviously standings, but more so to just set the tone. You've got to go through the Central Division to advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs." -- Jets forward Kyle Connor
Kulikov is expected to be out until around the All-Star break, Jets coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday.
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Stat pack
Wheeler has six points (one goal, five assists) in his past four games. … Faksa and Janmark lead the Stars with two goals each in two games against the Jets this season, and Faksa has five goals in his past four games against Winnipeg.
