The Dallas Stars have advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, defeating the Colorado Avalanche in an exciting Game 7 showdown. The Stars displayed resilience, coming back from a deficit to secure their place against the Winnipeg Jets, who also pulled off a dramatic win over the St. Louis Blues to reach this stage. As they prepare for their matchup, both teams come in with momentum, but the Jets might be facing fatigue due to their extended Game 7 battle.

Notably, the Stars are without home ice advantage for the first time this postseason, a factor that could play a crucial role as they face a Jets squad known for their playoff struggles, despite being the league's top team this season. The series will also spotlight the goaltenders: Connor Hellebuyck of Winnipeg, aiming to overcome his playoff inconsistencies, versus Dallas' Jake Oettinger, who has performed admirably. Both squads are dealing with injuries to key players, which adds another layer of intrigue to this matchup.