The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars are set to kick off their second-round playoff series, with the Jets holding home-ice advantage. Both teams survived first-round scares, fending off teams in Game 7.
As this series gets set, many around the league are looking at this as one of the more evenly matched series. Winnipeg was the best team in the NHL this season, but the Stars have been dominant in their own right as well.
Advertisement
Chris Bengel and Austin Nivison of CBS Sports put together predictions for the upcoming series, with each choosing the same team to win. Both experts had the Stars to upset the Jets, with each having the series end at six games maximum.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) stops a breakaway shot by Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Nivison had the Stars winning in five games, with Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck being the main concern.
“The big question for me in this series is whether Hellebuyck can gain some confidence from a good effort in overtime of Game 7. If he can, the Jets absolutely have a shot in this series. If he continues to struggle, then the series will be very brief. The Stars simply have too much firepower, especially with Jason Robertson nearing a return, for Hellebuyck to be letting in soft goals.”
Advertisement
Bengal also had concerns for Hellebuyck, but focused on the depth of the Stars to put them forward, picking Dallas to win in six games.
“Considering how deep the Stars are up the middle, they’re the team to beat in this series, and I believe that they’ll come out on the winning end.”
Both sides have a lot to prove in this matchup, potentially making for a great series. But only one can advance to the next round of the postseason.
Related: Wayne Gretzky Facing Backlash Over Donald Trump Controversy