Opinion
3 min read

Jets Set to Soar or Stars Shine Bright in Dallas Duel?

The Winnipeg Jets are gearing up for a pivotal clash against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center, and there's every reason to believe that they will continue their recent dominance on the ice. The Jets have been on a remarkable run, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess in recent games.


Nov 11, 2023; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN;  Dallas Stars goalie Scott Wedgewood (41) is congratulated by Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (2) on his win against the Winnipeg Jets at the end of the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In their last outing against the Vancouver Canucks on February 18th, the Jets displayed an impressive offensive performance, netting 4 goals with a shooting percentage of 14 percent. Their powerplay was particularly effective, converting 50 percent of their opportunities. This kind of efficiency with man-advantage situations could be crucial against the Stars.


Defensively, Winnipeg was just as formidable. The goaltending was impeccable with a save percentage of 100 percent, turning away all but two shots from Vancouver for a total of 35 saves. This brick-wall defense has been characteristic of WPG's playstyle and is likely to pose significant challenges for DAL's forwards.


Nov 11, 2023; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN;  Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon (5) is congratulated by his teammates on his goal against Dallas Stars goalie Scott Wedgewood (41) during the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Stars should not be underestimated though; they've proven themselves capable adversaries this season. However, considering that WPG has shown superior faceoff win percentages (52 percent overall in their last game) and an ability to capitalize on powerplays more effectively than DAL might manage under pressure, it seems likely that Winnipeg will control much of the game's tempo.


One area where WPG needs to maintain vigilance is penalties; while they had fewer penalty minutes than Vancouver in their previous match-up (15 minutes compared to Vancouver’s 25), discipline will be key in ensuring they don't give away any advantage.


Nov 11, 2023; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN;  Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene (95) looks to make a pass by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg (54) during the first period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at WPG’s home game against San Jose Sharks on February 15th where they eked out a win despite scoring only once on an impressive 39 shots shows that even when goals are hard to come by, Winnipeg finds ways to secure victories – something fans can take comfort in as we approach this next battle.


As we look ahead towards March 1st at American Airlines Center in Dallas – it’s clear that if WPG brings its A-game as seen recently – especially its special teams’ effectiveness and goaltending excellence – then fans can expect another thrilling performance worthy of extending their winning streak.


Jets enthusiasts can catch all the action live at 8:00 PM Eastern Time either nationally via ESPN+ online or through local TV coverage provided by BSSW channel number 676 for those supporting from home territory.

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