The Winnipeg Jets travel to Texas to face the Dallas Stars on April 2, 2026, in an important Western Conference matchup at American Airlines Center. The game is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and regional networks. Dallas enters the contest as one of the top teams in the conference and has already secured a strong playoff position, while Winnipeg are still battling for points to stay competitive in the standings. This contrast in motivation makes the matchup interesting because Dallas has the stronger season record, but Winnipeg have been playing with urgency in recent weeks. The Stars have one of the league’s best defensive records and an elite power play, while the Jets rely on strong offensive leaders like Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor to drive scoring chances. With both teams capable of producing offense and goaltenders who can steal games, this matchup could become a tightly contested battle.
Dallas has had a strong overall season, ranking among the best teams in the Western Conference with a balanced roster and reliable defense. However, their recent form has been inconsistent with several losses in the past week. Despite those struggles, the Stars remain dangerous at home and continue to rely on offensive threats such as Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn to generate scoring opportunities. Their power play has been one of the most effective units in the league this season and often creates momentum in close games.
Winnipeg, on the other hand, enters this game in better recent form. The Jets have been collecting important wins over the past few games and their attack has been productive. Mark Scheifele has been leading the offense with consistent scoring contributions, while Kyle Connor continues to be one of the team’s most reliable goal scorers. Winnipeg’s ability to play aggressive hockey and generate pressure in the offensive zone has helped them compete against stronger opponents.
The goaltending matchup also adds intrigue to this game. Dallas will likely rely on Jake Oettinger or Casey DeSmith, both capable of strong performances when the defense protects the crease well. Winnipeg counters with star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who remains one of the league’s most experienced and dependable netminders. If Hellebuyck performs at a high level, the Jets could keep the game close even on the road.
Match Details
| Match | Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars |
|---|---|
| Date | April 2, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Venue | American Airlines Center |
| Location | Dallas, Texas |
| Broadcast | ESPN+, Victory+, TSN3 |
Western Conference Standings Snapshot
| Team | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 1st | 108 |
| Dallas Stars | 2nd | 100 |
| Minnesota Wild | 3rd | 94 |
| Nashville Predators | 10th | 77 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 11th | 76 |
Dallas have already secured a strong playoff position while Winnipeg are still trying to climb back into the race.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Stars -160 |
| Jets | +135 |
| Puck Line | Stars -1.5 |
| Total | 5.5 Goals |
Dallas enter the matchup as the favorite due to their stronger season performance and home advantage.
Recent Form
Dallas Stars – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1 | Bruins | Loss 3–6 |
| Mar 30 | Flyers | Loss 1–2 |
| Mar 29 | Penguins | Win 6–3 |
| Mar 27 | Islanders | Loss 1–2 |
| Mar 25 | Devils | Loss 4–6 |
Dallas has struggled recently with only one win in their last five games.
Winnipeg Jets – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1 | Blackhawks | Win 4–3 |
| Mar 29 | Avalanche | Win 4–2 |
| Mar 27 | Avalanche | Loss 2–3 |
| Mar 25 | Golden Knights | Win 4–1 |
| Mar 22 | Rangers | Win 3–2 |
Winnipeg have been playing better hockey lately with four wins in their last five games.
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Feb 3, 2026 | Stars 4 – Jets 3 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Stars 4 – Jets 3 |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Stars 5 – Jets 4 |
Dallas have won all three meetings this season, although each game has been very close.
Projected Lineups
Winnipeg Jets
| Line | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo |
| 2 | Cole Perfetti – Adam Lowry – Gabriel Vilardi |
| 3 | Cole Koepke – Jonathan Toews – Brad Lambert |
| 4 | Isak Rosen – Morgan Barron – Parker Ford |
Defense Pairings
| Defense |
|---|
| Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo |
| Dylan Samberg – Neal Pionk |
| Haydn Fleury – Elias Salomonsson |
Goalies
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Connor Hellebuyck |
| Eric Comrie |
Dallas Stars
| Line | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Robertson – Wyatt Johnston – Mikko Rantanen |
| 2 | Jamie Benn – Matt Duchene – Colin Blackwell |
| 3 | Oskar Back – Justin Hryckowian – Mavrik Bourque |
| 4 | Arttu Hyry – Adam Erne |
Defense Pairings
| Defense |
|---|
| Esa Lindell – Miro Heiskanen |
| Thomas Harley – Nils Lundkvist |
| Lian Bichsel – Ilya Lyubushkin |
Goalies
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Jake Oettinger |
| Casey DeSmith |
Injury Report
Dallas Stars
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Tyler Seguin | Out |
| Roope Hintz | Out |
| Radek Faksa | Out |
| Sam Steel | Out |
| Michael Bunting | Out |
| Tyler Myers | Day-to-day |
| Nathan Bastian | Out |
Winnipeg Jets
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Colin Miller | Out |
| Nino Niederreiter | Out |
| Vladislav Namestnikov | Out |
| Gustav Nyqvist | Out |
Dallas are dealing with several injuries to key forwards which could impact their offensive depth.
Also see: Washington Capitals vs New Jersey Devils prediction: Lineup, Last Games, Injury Report
Key Stats Comparison
| Category | Jets | Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 2.85 | 3.33 |
| Goals Allowed | 3.03 | 2.73 |
| Shots Per Game | 26.2 | 25.4 |
| Power Play | 17.6% | 28.8% |
| Penalty Kill | 78.5% | 80.6% |
Dallas have advantages in scoring efficiency and power-play success.
Players to Watch
Winnipeg Jets
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Mark Scheifele | Offensive leader |
| Kyle Connor | Top goal scorer |
| Cole Perfetti | Playmaking center |
Dallas Stars
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Jason Robertson | Leading scorer |
| Matt Duchene | Offensive playmaker |
| Jamie Benn | Veteran leadership |
These players are expected to influence the offensive production in this matchup.
Player Props
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| Cole Perfetti | Under 2.5 Shots |
| Jason Robertson | Anytime Point |
| Mark Scheifele | Over 0.5 Points |
Player prop markets may focus on offensive leaders who generate most scoring chances.
Best Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Stars |
| Total | Over 5.5 |
| Spread | Jets +1.5 |
Dallas have the stronger roster but Winnipeg’s recent form suggests the game could remain close.
How to Watch Jets vs Stars
Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+ and regional networks. The matchup takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
Final Prediction
Dallas remain one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference and their defensive structure often makes the difference in close games. Winnipeg has momentum and motivation, but the Stars’ home advantage and offensive depth could help them control the pace.
Predicted Score”
Stars 4 – Jets 3
Add as a preferred source on Google
