GAMEDAY: Stars at Jets

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets will open a four game homestand tonight at Canada Life Centre against the Dallas Stars at 7 pm CT.

Winnipeg (12-6-2) is coming off a successful road trip taking four out of a possible six points and currently sits tied with the Stars (12-5-2) for second place in the Central Division. Dallas does have a game in hand on Winnipeg and won the first meeting between the two teams 3-2 back on November 11.

The Jets have gone 5-1 since that loss to the Stars, outscoring their opponents 22-12.

“I think we’ve gotten better in our structure. We’ve gotten better in our all-around game. We always talk about just trying to improve. We’re trying to get incrementally better every day, I think we’ve done that,” said Adam Lowry.

“There are still areas of our game where we want to continue improving and there’s areas of our game that we want to keep where they’re at, so I’m looking forward to playing them. It’s always fun to play these Central Division games and Dallas is a great team. We’re right there with them in the standings so I expect a really good game tonight.”

For the third straight morning skate, Gabe Vilardi was out on the ice without a non-contact jersey, but he did not take part of any of the line rushes.

“He won't play tonight. He's not ready, as simple as that. Skated with a new brace today, so we'll give him today and tomorrow,” said Rick Bowness.

“Everyone's hopeful for Thursday, but we'll decide that. He'll be one of those game-time decisions that we love to talk about.”

The only expected lineup change is Connor Hellebuyck returning to the net and he is on a personal four game win streak and has a .945 save percentage over that time. Hellebuyck added to his franchise record with his 33^rd career shutout in his last start Friday in Florida.

“We all know how good Helly is. There’s a lot going on for him at the start of the year with the big new contract. Sometimes with that, maybe the expectations, he’s working a little too hard or doing something that he’s not used to doing for all these years,” said Brenden Dillon.

“There was no panic is us as his teammates. We knew he was going to be fine. The thing for all of us is we were finding ways to win. And I think that’s something where we’ve taken a lot of pride in our five-on-five game. Helly’s bailed us out more than enough times over the last couple of years. 

The Jets are 10-2-1 in their past 13 games against the Stars at Canada Life Centre.