Jets vs Stars Game 6 Preview: Can Winnipeg Force a Decisive Game 7?

Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets May 17th 2025

Betting on today’s Jets and Stars game? Catch the action at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX, as the Stars hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ABC. This Central division matchup has an over/under of 5.5 goals, and the Stars are favored by -1.5 at home vs. the Jets.

Winnipeg vs. Dallas Key Information

Teams: Jets at Stars
Where: American Airlines Center Dallas
Date: Saturday, May 17th
Betting Odds DAL -155 | WPG +132 O/U 5.5

The Jets Can Win If…

With a 7-4 win over the Lightning, the Jets moved to 56-22-4. Winnipeg covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the game’s total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Jets responded with seven different players finding the net. Winnipeg scored four times in the third period, including two empty-net goals, to secure the win.

Winnipeg’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their 7-4 win over Tampa Bay. The Jets took 34 shots on goal, with seven different players finding the back of the net. Vladislav Namestnikov opened the scoring for the Jets in the first period, marking his third goal of the season. Logan Stanley added his first goal of the year, while Alex Iafallo netted his first on a power play. Dylan Samberg scored his third goal, and Nikolaj Ehlers picked up his ninth with an empty-netter. Cole Perfetti also added an empty-net goal, his fourth of the season.

After a 2-1 first period, the Jets scored twice in the second and added four more in the third. Mark Scheifele, who scored his eighth goal earlier, now has 10 assists after setting up Ehlers’ empty-netter. Josh Morrissey, who assisted on Namestnikov’s opening goal, now has 13 assists this season.

Defensively, the Jets will look to improve after allowing the first two goals and a 4-4 tie at 6:51 into the 3rd period. Connor Hellebuyck finished with 26 saves and an 86.7% save percentage. The Jets’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 31 hits.

Over their last three regular season games, the Jets have gone 1-2 straight up. Against the spread, Winnipeg went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 1-2.
Winnipeg has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 3-7 and an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Stars Can Win If…

Dallas fell to 50-26-6 after a 4-2 loss to the Panthers. The Stars trailed 2-0 before tying it up, but Florida scored twice in the third period to seal the win. Going into the game, the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 6. Dallas, as the underdog on the puck line, didn’t cover.

Evgenii Dadonov put the Stars on the board with a goal in the second period, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Matt Duchene followed with another goal to tie it up, but the Panthers responded with two more goals, including an empty-netter, to secure the win.

Dallas took 25 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 4-2 loss to the Panthers. Evgenii Dadonov scored his second goal of the season, while Matt Duchene added his seventh. Duchene also picked up his eighth assist on Dadonov’s power-play goal, which came at 8:38 in the second period.

Miro Heiskanen recorded his fourth assist on Duchene’s goal, and Thomas Harley added his fifth assist. The Stars had 32 giveaways in the game.

After Dallas tied the game at 2-2 in the second period, their defense allowed a goal at the 2:32 mark of the third period, followed by an empty-netter with 1:00 remaining. Casey DeSmith made 21 saves with a save percentage of 87.5%, while the defense recorded 5 takeaways and 26 hits.

Through their last three games, the Stars have a record of 2-1. This also includes going 2-1 puck line and an over-under mark of 1-2.
Through their last ten regular season contests, Dallas has a record of 6-4. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 6-4 and an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Stars to take down the Jets at home. With the moneyline currently at -155, I’m placing my bet on the Stars straight-up.

When making a puck line pick, we’re backing the Stars to win and cover. Watch for the Stars to win this game by multiple goals over the Jets.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Jets Refuse to Back Down Against Stars

The Winnipeg Jets aren’t going quietly into the offseason. After staving off elimination in Game 5 with a commanding 4-0 shutout win, the Jets now head to Dallas for Game 6 of their Western Conference second-round playoff series. Despite trailing 3-2 in the series, Winnipeg’s momentum and resilience have made this matchup anything but predictable.

Stars Still Lead the Series, But Jets Are Surging

The Dallas Stars took early control of the series and now hold a 3-2 advantage. But history warns against counting out this Winnipeg squad. They’ve already pulled off a dramatic comeback in Round 1, rallying from two goals down in the final minutes of Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues to win in double overtime.

Head coach Pete DeBoer of the Stars acknowledged the challenge ahead:

“They won the Presidents’ Trophy, right? This is a really good team. We have a great opportunity to win this at home, but we’ve got to be ready.”

Game 5 Recap: Hellebuyck, Ehlers Shine for Winnipeg

In Game 5, Winnipeg showed why they finished the regular season with the NHL’s best record. Connor Hellebuyck posted his second shutout of the series, stopping all 22 shots and further cementing his status as the Vezina Trophy frontrunner.

Forward Nikolaj Ehlers contributed two goals and praised the team’s cohesion:

“We played a really good game. We’ll review the tape, clean up a few things, and bring the same energy into Game 6.”

Jets Bringing the Desperation and Winning Battles

The Jets played with visible urgency in Game 5, holding Dallas to just nine shots through two periods and dominating the physical battles. Kyle Connor emphasized the team-first mentality:

“It’s the ultimate team sport. Everyone’s got to go full tilt. It’s the toughest time of the year, and we’re locked in.”

Rising Physicality and Emotions Could Tip the Scale

Tensions flared in Game 5, leading to a series-high 50 penalty minutes. The escalating physicality has become a key storyline. Coach DeBoer commented:

“You play a team this long, there gets to be a little hate out there. That’s OK.”

With emotions running high, discipline and composure may be decisive in Game 6. Don’t miss this week’s NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Experts

Dallas Eager to Close the Door at Home

Despite the setback, the Stars are determined not to let the series reach Game 7. Veteran forward Matt Duchene voiced the urgency:

“You never want to give a team life. We needed to close it in Game 5. We’ll go home, put our best game out there, and try to end it.”

What to Expect in Game 6

Winnipeg’s defense and goaltending remain critical.
Dallas’ top lines must break through Hellebuyck’s wall.
Special teams and power plays could decide the outcome in a tightly called game.
Momentum is leaning toward Winnipeg—but Game 6 is in Dallas.

Final Thoughts: A Series Far from Over

The Jets vs Stars Game 6 preview points to a battle of willpower, strategy, and sheer grit. Winnipeg is rolling into Dallas with confidence, while the Stars are desperate to avoid a Game 7. With elite talent on both sides and rising stakes, fans are in for a thrilling showdown.

Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets Picks and Predictions May 17th 2025