Players are ready for a ‘playoff-style game’ as the Winnipeg Jets clash with division rival Dallas Stars

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on Dallas Stars' Tyler Seguin (91) as Jets' Dylan Samberg (54) defends against Stars' Mason Marchment (27) during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Saturday November 9, 2024. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press)

It’s a battle of the behemoths, a clash of the titans, Goliath versus Goliath, a Central Division showdown between two powerhouses.

The Winnipeg Jets are set for a collision course with the Dallas Stars Friday in what is arguably the most important game of the season for the Jets to date.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers. “I think this is going to be as close to a playoff type game as you can get.”

Entering the night, the Jets are eight points up on the Stars for the top spot in the Central Division. The Stars—who have two games in hand—have kept the pressure on Winnipeg in the standings by winning seven of their last nine games since coming back from the Four Nations break.

They also added the biggest name on the trade market in Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline.

It’s been a while since these two teams met. The Stars won the second matchup of the season by a score of 3-1, while the Jets won the first meeting 4-1.

“It’ll be interesting. It’ll be a good matchup. We have a good team, obviously; we’ve shown that all year. This is a big game for us. This can put us ahead by a couple more points and kind of make that spread a little bit further,” said defenceman Dylan Samberg.

“This is going to be a playoff-style game, and we’re coming to the close of the regular season. So you got to start fine-tuning our game. This is the group that we’re going to go into the playoffs with. So, just got to make sure we’re ready.”

Winnipeg is coming off a 2-1 win Tuesday against the New York Rangers, while Dallas has been off for four days since grabbing the 4-1 victory Sunday in Vancouver against the Canucks.

Winnipeg’s lineup will look a little different compared to Tuesday as Head Coach Scott Arniel said defenceman Neal Pionk is dealing with something and will be out week-to-week.

“He’s played with it, I’ll say that,” said Arniel about Pionk’s injury. “We do need him for the long run here. So as much as he wants to play, this is the right decision.”

Arniel confirmed it is a lower body injury.

With that, newly acquired defenceman Luke Schenn will slot in next to Samberg, while Colin Miller will enter the lineup as part of the third pairing.

“That’s what we had talked about going into the deadline, that depth was our number one thing, and whatever happened after that, obviously, would be a bonus. But, at the end of the day, if you have plans to play into June, you’re going to need your roster, and it’s proven. There’s injuries that happen, situations that happen. You have to go deep. It’s happened a little earlier than I hoped, but, at the end of the day, we’re glad we have Luke for it.”

Connor Hellebuyck will once again be starting in net for Winnipeg. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from Canada Life Centre.