NHL Playoffs: Dallas Stars Face Winnipeg Jets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round
Source: NHL.com
Game Preview: Stars vs. Jets
The anticipation is palpable as the Dallas Stars gear up to host the Winnipeg Jets for Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round of the NHL Playoffs at the American Airlines Center this Saturday, May 17, 2025. With the Stars leading the best-of-seven series 3-2, a win would see them progress to the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive season.
After a daunting 4-0 loss in Game 5 at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, the Stars are eager to regain their momentum on home ice where they have dominated with a record of 5-1 this postseason.
Star Players to Watch
– The Dallas Stars will rely heavily on the performance of Jake Oettinger, who boasts a strong record of 5-1, alongside a 2.23 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage at home this playoff season.
– Forward Mikko Rantanen currently leads all playoff scorers with 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) and will be a critical asset as he looks to extend his impressive performance against the Jets.
– For the Winnipeg Jets, Mark Scheifele is set to play under emotional circumstances following the unexpected death of his father. He has been a standout for the Jets, accumulating four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in five games in this series.
Elimination or Advancement?
This pivotal match is crucial for the Jets, who are seeking to fend off elimination for the second time in this series. Scott Arniel, head coach of the Jets, is optimistic despite his team’s challenging road performance—having lost nine consecutive playoff games away from home, dating back to 2023. He emphasized the need for his team to seize early momentum:
- “Every streak ends, whether it’s a good one or a bad one, and we’re planning on doing that [Saturday],” Arniel stated.
- The Jets have enjoyed success at home with a 6-1 record in this postseason.
If they can force a Game 7, it would be held at the Canada Life Centre on Monday, a potentially advantageous scenario for the Jets in front of their home crowd.
Historical Context
Historically, teams holding a 3-2 lead in a playoff series win 79.4% of the time, and those leading 3-2 heading into a Game 6 away from home come out victorious 77% of the time.
As Pete DeBoer, coach of the Stars, stated, “Our home crowd’s a big advantage for us. You know we have to approach this like a Game 7, even though we have the luxury of it not being a Game 7.”
Projected Lineups
For the game, both teams have projected their lineups as follows:
Winnipeg Jets
– Kyle Connor — Mark Scheifele — Gabriel Vilardi
– Nikolaj Ehlers — Vladislav Namestnikov — Cole Perfetti
– Nino Niederreiter — Adam Lowry — Mason Appleton
– Brandon Tanev — Morgan Barron — Alex Iafallo
Dallas Stars
– Mikael Granlund — Roope Hintz — Mikko Rantanen
– Jamie Benn — Matt Duchene — Tyler Seguin
– Mason Marchment — Wyatt Johnston — Jason Robertson
As the Stars and Jets prepare for this highly anticipated face-off, fans and players alike are ready for an unforgettable night of NHL playoff hockey.
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NHL playoffs, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Game 6 preview, Western Conference, NHL news, playoff hockey, Scheifele, Rantanen, Oettinger