Sunday in the NHL features a Central Division matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars. This concludes a six game road trip for the Jets. Welcome to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey, where each day we preview and predict the upcoming slate of NHL games around the league! In this article, we will be previewing and predicting the matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars. Be sure to check out all of our predictions throughout the 2024-25 season and follow along your favourite teams.
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN3, Victory+
The Jets final stop on their grueling six game road trip is an afternoon tilt versus the Dallas Stars in ‘Big D’. This is an important divisional game, with Dallas sitting in third in the Central and the Jets remaining atop the division. With a win, the Jets can close out their trip with a respectable 3-3 record. Winnipeg has beaten Dallas in their last two meetings including a convincing 4-1 win in Winnipeg on November 9th. Dallas has only scored one goal in their last two meetings with the Jets and the teams have combined for five or fewer goals in all of their last five games played against each other.
Rewind: Jets Continue to Struggle vs Vegas
Winnipeg was defeated 4-3 in Vegas in their previous game which was their eighth straight loss to the Golden Knights (regular season and playoffs). It was a tight game throughout which saw the teams trade goals, ultimately finishing with a Brett Howden winner in the third period. A few defensive breakdowns served to be the undoing for the Jets on a night where chances were at a premium. Vegas’ top line featuring Jack Eichel definitively outplayed and out-chanced Winnipeg’s Scheifele line. As well, the Jets league-leading powerplay was silent, and could’ve served to be a difference maker late in the contest when they had a chance to tie in a 6 vs 4 situation.
Dallas vs Winnipeg: Team USA Goalie Matchup
Team USA hockey fans are being dealt a tremendous matchup in net in this game. Connor Hellebuyck will faceoff with Jake Oettinger, arguably the #1 and #2 options for the USA, as we are days away from the roster announcements for the Four Nations Faceoff. Oettinger was pulled in these teams’ last meeting (Nov 9 in Winnipeg) where he surrendered four goals on only 15 shots. He will need to be sharper Sunday afternoon if Dallas hopes to get the better of Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck had the night off versus Vegas and should be well rested; not playing against the Golden Knights points to the importance of this game to the Jets and their coaching staff. This game will serve as a nice measuring stick for Oettinger to see where he stacks up against Hellebuyck as we move closer to international hockey.
Winnipeg Jets Notes
- Jets statistics over their last 5 games:
- Gabe Vilardi – 2 goals – minus-2
- Mark Scheifele – 2 assists – minus-2
- Josh Morrissey – minus-2
- Nikolaj Ehlers is goalless in his last 9 games (last scored versus Dallas on Nov 9)
The Jets top players have dipped of recent and need to refocus and find their game on Sunday. The top line needs to find the scoresheet and get their powerplay humming. Nikolaj Ehlers is scuffling of late, but may be out of lineup. He left the game against Vegas with a lower-body injury and did not return. His status for this one is up in the air, but it appears he will miss this game.
Dallas Depth
The Stars have been showing off their depth thus far this season. Though their top line of Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnson have been leading their forwards in time on ice, it is their second line that has been the offensive catalysts. Matt Duchene (27 points), Mason Marchment (23 points) and Tyler Seguin (20 points) are currently the top three scorers on their team. This line has been lethal at 5 on 5 play and on the powerplay. As well, ten Dallas Stars have over ten points this season; furthermore, eight players have four or more points in their last five games played. This team is exemplifying their elite depth and showing the league why they are a Stanley Cup contender.
NHL Predictions – Stars vs Jets
Winnipeg will be happy to fly home after this one and put their long trip in the rearview mirror. It’s been an up and down trip, but a win in Dallas would make it wins over two of their divisional opponents (Minnesota). Though they are likely to be without Ehlers, the Jets will be up for this one. Improved play at 5 v 5 versus Vegas was extremely encouraging. A bump is likely with Hellebuyck starting.
Prediction: Jets Win 5-2
NHL Prop Bet of the Night
Winnipeg and Dallas are each known for their stingy defensive play. However, both teams can absolutely fill the net on any night. Winnipeg is second in the NHL in total goals scored and Dallas is within the top ten. The FanDuel Sportsbook line has the total goals in the game set at O/U 6.5. Though it’s a high total, you are getting great value on the over at +114 (odds at publishing).
Main Photo: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
The post NHL Predictions: Dec 1 Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.