Stars Face Jets in Season Opener with High Stakes

DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Stars kick off their 2025-26 NHL season with a tough matchup against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday evening. Both teams are entering the game with fresh rosters and high expectations following their playoff showdown last season.

The Stars and Jets ended their previous year with the Stars defeating the Jets in six games during the Second Round of the playoffs. This rematch provides both teams a chance to set the tone for their new seasons. Dallas finished the 2024-25 season with an impressive record of 50-26-6, while Winnipeg topped the charts with a 56-22-4 record, earning the Presidents’ Trophy.

Stars coach Glen Gulutzan, returning to head coaching after serving as an assistant, expressed his excitement ahead of the game. “I feel good, I’m excited to get going,” he stated. “It’s been a while since I’ve been back there calling the shots.” He noted that his team has prepared well during the preseason, finishing with a 5-1-0 record.

Stars forward Jason Robertson brings a strong performance history into this matchup, as he leads Dallas with 35 goals from last season. In his last 10 games against the Jets, he recorded seven points, showcasing his knack for success against this rival. “It’s good to get right on the horse and play the Presidents’ Trophy winner in their building,” Robertson said. “It should be a good test.”

On the other side, the Jets will debut Jonathan Toews, who is making his first regular-season appearance since April 2023. “It’s just great to be back,” Toews said. “I want to contribute to this team and put the last few years behind me.” The Jets are without key players Adam Lowry, Dylan Samberg, and Cole Perfetti due to injuries, which puts more pressure on the remaining roster to perform.

In goal, Dallas will rely on Jake Oettinger, who holds a 2.57 GAA against Winnipeg, while Connor Hellebuyck will be the starter for the Jets, previously leading the NHL with a .922 save percentage last season. As both teams prepare for faceoff, the stakes are high not just for the game but for the season ahead.

“All a win does is buy you 24 hours of peace, really,” Gulutzan added, emphasizing the importance of starting the season on the right foot.