
Stars bring 3-2 series lead into game 6 against the Jets
Dallas; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Stars -153, Jets +128; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND: Stars lead series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars host the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-2 lead in the series. The teams meet Thursday for the 10th time this season. The Jets won the previous matchup 4-0. Nikolaj Ehlers scored two goals in the win.
Dallas is 50-26-6 overall and 22-13-3 against the Central Division. The Stars have a +53 scoring differential, with 275 total goals scored and 222 allowed.
Winnipeg is 25-13-0 against the Central Division and 56-22-4 overall. The Jets are 32-14-2 when they commit fewer penalties than their opponent.
TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Duchene has 30 goals and 52 assists for the Stars. Mikko Rantanen has nine goals and 10 assists over the past 10 games.
Mark Scheifele has 39 goals and 48 assists for the Jets. Kyle Connor has three goals and nine assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Stars: 6-4-0, averaging 2.7 goals, five assists, 4.8 penalties and 12.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
Jets: 4-6-0, averaging 2.7 goals, 5.1 assists, 5.6 penalties and 17 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game.
INJURIES: Stars: None listed.
Jets: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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CTV News
8 hours ago
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CBC
8 hours ago
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Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
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'I wasn't involved in much of the conversations… But I think everything went pretty smoothly from what I heard.'– Jets forward Gabe Vilardi Winnipeg's reputation around the league isn't always flattering, with many players listing the city on their no-trade clauses. So what is it about this place that won over Vilardi, a Kingston native who played junior hockey in Ontario before being drafted 11th overall by Los Angeles in 2017 and spending his first five pro seasons in California? 'The opportunity for us to win in our window here of four or five years is something I'm very excited about and I want to be a part of. And I love Winnipeg. It's a great spot. It feels like home to me,' he said. 'The fans, the team, the organization, everybody has been welcoming to me in Winnipeg since I've been there and it's been great. So it made it a pretty easy decision for me.' Does that make the reality of Winnipeg much different from the outside perception? 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'I grew up watching Jon(athan Toews) and I think him bringing that experience, he has won three (Stanley) Cups and he knows what it takes, I think it is good for us in the locker room and on the ice.'– Gabe Vilardi 'I truly believe that we have a team that can win. On the outside for guys looking in, you have to figure out what you want. Do you want to go live in a warm climate and maybe play on a worse team? At the end of the day for me, it's about hockey. I want to win. That's my top priority in life. So it's easy to overlook the cons and look at the pros for me.' The Jets did lose a key piece this summer in Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed as a free agent with Carolina. But they're adding Winnipeg's own Jonathan Toews, who agreed to a one-year deal to make a comeback after a two-year health hiatus. 'Super excited. I grew up watching Jon and I think him bringing that experience, he has won three (Stanley) Cups and he knows what it takes, I think it is good for us in the locker room and on the ice,' said Vilardi. 'I sent him a text when he signed and I told him how excited the team is to have him. For him missing that time, obviously he is going to have a tough situation coming back and obviously getting back into the groove of things and, hopefully, myself and the guys, we can help him feel comfortable and help him get back going as quick as he can.' The Jets also added free-agent forwards Gustav Nyquist, Tanner Pearson, and Cole Koepke, while losing Mason Appleton and Brandon Tanev in free agency. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Gabe Vilardi signed a US$45 million extension through the end of the 2030-31 NHL season with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Gabe Vilardi signed a US$45 million extension through the end of the 2030-31 NHL season with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. 'We have got the same coaching staff and the core group is still there. Every year there is not going to be the exact same roster, there is going to be change always,' said Vilardi. 'We are going to welcome the new guys in and we are still a very good team.' He figures to once again be on the right side of Winnipeg's top line this coming season along with top centre Mark Scheifele — who is also signed for six more years — and Kyle Connor, who will be entering the final year of his contract but is already in extension talks. 'I believe in our group. I think this past year we obviously showed what we're capable of in the regular season,' he said. 'And obviously the playoffs didn't end up our way, but I think we competed there and I think just the opportunity of this window we have where I truly believe we have a great opportunity to win and I want to be a part of that and I think we can accomplish that.' Vilardi admits a US$45 million contract to play the sport he's loved since he was a little kid brings a wave of feelings — with gratitude at the top of the list. 'Looking back, I always wanted to be a hockey player. I always worked really hard and I always knew this (reaching the NHL) was going to happen. In terms of the money, I'm grateful. I can help my family and make sure that everyone's set,' he said. 'I'm glad I'm sticking around for a while longer.'– Gabe Vilardi 'A lot of people have helped me get to this point, obviously, but it doesn't change much. I still feel like I have a lot to prove and I want to keep getting better. But obviously it does feel good and I'm super grateful to a lot of people that have helped me.' Those emotions extend to the blockbuster 2023 trade that brought him to Winnipeg alongside Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a draft pick (used to select Alfons Freij) in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. 'I'm super grateful that they acquired me, took a chance on me and I've been given a lot of opportunities since I've come to Winnipeg that I'm super grateful for,' said Vilardi. 'I love the group of guys we have, I'm super grateful for the relationships that have been made over the past two years. Yeah, I'm happy with how that all played out and I'm glad I'm sticking around for a while longer.' X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.