Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Picks and Prediction for Thursday, October 9, 2025
Use Code SSWC The Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets are ready to battle it out in Central Division action on Thursday night in the Canada Life Centre for our Stars vs. Jets prediction to begin the season. The Stars (50-26-6 last season) are looking to continue being a force as they have a new coach with a familiar face in charge. The Jets (56-22-4 last season) are looking to continue stepping up after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. This game is the first of four matchups and they will not play again until December. Puck drop preview — NHL picks for Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets built on recent form.
Stars Looking to Shine
The Dallas Stars are in a position where they had a successful season and have made the Western Conference Finals for the third consecutive season last year. However, they have not been able to make the Stanley Cup Finals since 2020, which shows this team is strong but not able to get over the hump. Coach Glen Gulutzan is entering his first year with the team, but this is his second stint with Dallas as he was the coach of the team from 2011-13.
The team has a team ready to take the steps forward and one player to keep an eye on is Nils Lundkvist, who the team traded for back in 2022, but had difficulties finding his way into lineup and had just five assists in 39 games last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. With a team that was third in the NHL with 275 total goals last season, they can really be aggressive on the ice and find ways to score with this roster.
Goalie Jake Oettinger will be in the net for the season opener and played well last season as he was 36-18-4 with 2.59 goals allowed per game and a .909 save percentage. Their defense stepped up as they were sixth in goals allowed (222) as well. With their captain, Jamie Benn, out for at least a few weeks after having surgery to repair a collapsed lung, the Stars need to prove they can play well to open up the season.
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Injury Report for Dallas
- Center Oskar Back: Undisclosed (OUT)
- Left winger Jamie Benn: Lung (OUT)
- Right winger Kyle McDonald: Knee (OUT)
- Center Chase Wheatcroft: Wrist (OUT)
- Defenseman Luke Krys: Achilles (OUT)
Jets Looking to Build Off Last Season
The Winnipeg Jets were able to immediately click with coach Scott Arniel, as in his first season with the team, they were able to win the Central Division as well as win the Presidents’ Trophy. This team has been dealing with some changes as losing Nikolaj Ehlers as a free agent and Dylan Samberg to a wrist injury; some significant names are not on the ice here. However, this team has a lot of chemistry with the roster returning from last season and should be in a position to win games.
The offense of Winnipeg was one of the strongest in the league last seaso,n as they were third in hockey with 275 combined goals. The team is going to be excited about the return of Jonathan Toews after being out of the league for the last two seasons due to health issues, but he will not be on the ice for the opener. However, one name to be excited about is forward Gustav Nyquist, who has scored at least 20 goals in five different seasons.
The Jets are known for their dominating defensive prowess on the ice, and that all starts with the three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes. Last season, he finished 47-12-3 with a .925 save percentage and 2.01 goals allowed per game as well as eight shutouts. The team as a whole led the sport with 190 combined goals allowed. With a focus on goal prevention, they should be in a great spot to be a force early on.
Injury Report for Winnipeg
- Center Jonathan Toews: Undisclosed (OUT)
- Center Cole Perfetti: Ankle (OUT)
- Defenseman Dylan Samberg: Wrist (OUT)
- Center Adam Lowry: Hip (OUT)
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Pick
Spread Pick for Stars vs. Jets
- Winnipeg Jets -105 (4 units)
The Dallas Stars are going to be dealing with some issues as they were 13th of 16 teams, as they recorded 2.50 goals per game in the playoffs. Not having their captain on the ice is going to be critical for their chances, as the injury is serious. The Winnipeg Jets have stepped up and have one of the top goaltenders of his generation, while also adding a veteran leader like Jonathan Toews to help lead this team that just won the Presidents’ Trophy, while having an experienced roster in itself. They also have some young scorers, like forward Brad Lambert, ready to bring some youth to the franchise as well. Winnipeg is the better team nad should be able to step up so go with the Winnipeg Jets to record the win and get some points to begin the season here.
Over/Under Pick for Stars vs. Jets
- Under 5.5 (5 units)
When you have goaltenders like Jake Oettinger and Connor Hellebuyck, there are not going to be many goals scored. Both teams are dealing with injuries to significant players like Jonathan Toews and Jamie Benn; the offensive attack is going to be a bit compromised. Both defenses are dominant and should be in a position to slow down the opposing offense. With the first game of the season, the skaters are going to be more aggressive and not take as many smart shots. All in all, go with under 5.5 total goals to score in this game.
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