The Stars will look to reverse a lengthy trend of losing series openers when they face the Jets in the Western Conference Second Round Game 1 Wednesday at Canada Life Centre. Dallas has dropped eight consecutive Game 1s in best-of-seven playoff series, with their last victory coming in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Stars coach Pete DeBoer acknowledged the streak but indicated no significant change in approach. "We’re going on the road, which is a good one because the last three or four have been all at home, so hopefully that changes it," DeBoer said, adding that preparation remains consistent regardless of the game number.
The Jets present a challenge, having won all four of their home games in the first round against the St. Louis Blues. Winnipeg is coming off a dramatic double-overtime Game 7 win Sunday, while Dallas advanced Saturday with a comeback win in Game 7 against the Colorado Avalanche.
Game 1 could see the return of key players for both sides. Forward Jason Robertson, who led the Stars with 35 regular-season goals and missed the first round with a lower-body injury, practiced Tuesday and skated on the third line. For the Jets, center Mark Scheifele, a game-time decision after missing the final two games of the first round, participated in the morning skate with the top line and first power-play unit.A notable matchup in the series is between the goaltenders, with the Jets' Connor Hellebuyck and the Stars' Jake Oettinger both being United States-born. This marks only the third time in the past decade two U.S.-born goalies have started against each other in a playoff series.
The game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN in the United States. (Source) Radio coverage is available on The Ticket 96.7-FM, 1310-AM. (Source) Fans in Dallas can attend an official watch party at PNC Plaza outside the American Airlines Center.Jets coach Scott Arniel discussed the differences between their first-round opponent and the Stars. "They have a pretty good attack game that we have to be aware of,” Arniel said.
