The second-round series between the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars shifts to American Airlines Center on Sunday, May 11, with the teams tied 1-1. After a shutout win in Game 2, the Jets have momentum, but Dallas returns home looking to bounce back and regain control.
Connor Hellebuyck was dominant in Winnipeg’s 4-0 win, stopping all 31 shots to even the series. The Jets will try to carry that confidence into a hostile building, though Hellebuyck’s postseason road numbers remain a concern.
Dallas hopes that playing in front of its home crowd sparks more offense. Mikko Rantanen has carried the scoring load so far, but the Stars will need more from their veterans as the series tightens.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Dallas Stars Game 3 Storylines To Watch
Can Connor Hellebuyck Deliver on the Road?
Winnipeg’s All-Star goalie stepped up in Game 2, but road games have been a different story. Hellebuyck is winless away from home this postseason, with a rough 7.24 goals-against average and a .758 save percentage. Hellebuyck was pulled in each of those three starts.
Stars Searching for Secondary Scoring
Dallas continues to miss Miro Heiskanen on the blue line, but the bigger issue might be up front. Aside from Rantanen, the offense has lacked punch. Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, and Mason Marchment have combined for just three goals in the playoffs. With the series shifting to Dallas, they’ll need to step up.
Winnipeg’s Blue Line Stepping Up
The Jets leaned on defense all season. They allowed the fewest goals per game in the regular season, and that form returned in Game 2.
Josh Morrissey looked sharp in his return with an assist and a +2 rating. With Logan Stanley still out, others will need to keep filling the gap.
Jets vs. Stars Projected Game 3 Lineups
Winnipeg Jets Forwards
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Gabriel Vilardi
Nikolaj Ehlers – Vladislav Namestnikov – Cole Perfetti
Nino Niederreiter – Adam Lowry – Mason Appleton
Brandon Tanev – Morgan Barron – Alex Iafallo
Defense
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg – Neal Pionk
Haydn Fleury – Colin Miller
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck (starter)
Eric Comrie
Scratches: Dominic Toninato, David Gustafsson, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Luke Schenn, Ville Heinola
Injured: Logan Stanley, Rasmus Kupari
Dallas Stars Forwards
Mikael Granlund – Roope Hintz – Mikko Rantanen
Jamie Benn – Matt Duchene – Tyler Seguin
Mason Marchment – Wyatt Johnston – Jason Robertson
Oskar Back – Sam Steel – Evgenii Dadonov
Defense
Thomas Harley – Ilya Lyubushkin
Esa Lindell – Cody Ceci
Lian Bichsel – Alexander Petrovic
Goalies
Jake Oettinger (starter)
Casey DeSmith
Scratches: Mavrik Bourque, Colin Blackwell, Mathew Dumba, Brendan Smith
Injured: Miro Heiskanen, Nils Lundkvist
Game 3 Odds and Prediction
Moneyline: Stars -145 | Jets +125
Puck line: Stars -1.5 (+180)
Over/Under: 5.5 (O/U -110)
This series has been tight so far, with both teams earning convincing wins. Game 3 could come down to goaltending and which side controls play at even strength.
Dallas has home ice and a steady netminder in Oettinger, but Winnipeg’s structure and momentum can’t be overlooked.
Prediction: Stars 3, Jets 2
