The Dallas Stars face the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night to open their 2025-26 season. The Jets held a 3-1 record against the Stars during the 2024-25 regular season. However, during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Stars eliminated the Jets in Game 6 of the Second Round, finishing the series 4-2.

Mikko Rantanen scored the first goal and had two assists and the Dallas Stars won in coach Glen Gulutzan's return, overcoming Kyle Connor's hat trick to hold off the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 on Thursday night in the opener for both teams.

One day after signing an eight-year, $96-million contract, Kyle Connor scored three goals for the Winnipeg Jets in their season-opener at Canada Life Centre. But his heroics weren't enough, as the visiting Dallas Stars built a 5-1 lead early in the third period and held off a furious Jets comeback to skate away with a 5-4 win.

Prior to the game, the Dallas Stars team will take part in the Victory Green Carpet Walk presented by Toyota on PNC Plaza, located to the south of American Airlines Center

Fans head into the American Airlines Center before Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference finals between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dallas. Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer First the Texans left Dallas.

Tonight's season opener is Dallas' first without Jamie Benn since 2009. As their leader recovers from a collapsed lung, the Stars have an opportunity to identify the player who will eventually take up his mantle.

The Winnipeg Jets will not be starting the 2025-26 season the way they did their Presidents' Trophy-winning campaign.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (18) wait for the puck to drop during game 7 of the first round of the Stanl

Experts from The Dallas Morning News share their predictions as the Stars look to take another step toward Stanley Cup success.