Potentially the biggest game of the year for the Winnipeg Jets takes place tonight. The heavily equipped Dallas Stars come into town for a Central Division rivalry matchup—one that could be a preview of a playoff series in April or May.

Winnipeg is wrapping up a short two-game homestand, looking to go 2-0-0. They defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 on Tuesday, with Vladislav Namestnikov netting his 11th of the season and Gabriel Vilardi scoring the game-winner on the power play, marking his 27th goal. Connor Hellebuyck made 21 stops in the victory, earning a .955 save percentage. With the win, Winnipeg became the first team in the NHL to reach 45 wins this season, with 16 games still to play.

Dallas, sitting right behind Winnipeg in the Central, hasn’t played since last Sunday. They dominated the Canucks in a 4-1 victory in Vancouver. Thomas Harley opened the scoring with his 12th of the season, Mikael Granlund made it 2-1 with his 16th, Jason Robertson extended the lead with his 28th, and an empty-netter from Mikko Rantanen—his 29th—sealed the game. Casey DeSmith stopped 22 shots, posting a .957 save percentage.

The Stars made a significant splash at the trade deadline, acquiring superstar forward Mikko Rantanen from Carolina. In contrast, Winnipeg added Brandon Tanev from Seattle and Luke Schenn from Pittsburgh. While Dallas may have made the flashier move, both teams have plenty in common.

They are neck-and-neck for third place in scoring, while in goals allowed per game, Winnipeg ranks first and Dallas sits third. Special teams showcase a fascinating contrast: Winnipeg holds the NHL’s best power play, while Dallas ranks 15th. Meanwhile, Dallas leads the league in penalty killing, while Winnipeg holds the 15th spot.

Both teams also have elite American goaltenders—Winnipeg with Connor Hellebuyck and Dallas with Jake Oettinger.

These two rivals haven’t faced off since December, more than four months ago, but expect intensity levels to be sky-high. These two clubs hate each other’s guts.

“Hopefully we’re sharp and ready,” said Adam Lowry. “Because mistakes against a team like Dallas, where they don’t give up a whole lot but they’re also very dangerous off the rush, very dangerous in-zone—the difference in the game could be one or two mistakes.”

For Winnipeg, this game is a must-win to widen the gap over Dallas in the standings. The Jets currently hold an eight-point lead, but the Stars have two games in hand.

Expect a thriller tonight.

Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi

Ehlers – Namestnikov – Perfetti

Niederreiter – Lowry – Appleton

Tanev – Barron – Iafallo

Morrissey – DeMelo

Samberg – Schenn

Fleury – Miller

Hellebuyck

Comrie

Benn – Johnston – Rantanen

Robertson – Duchene – Granlund

Marchment – Bourque – Dadonov

Back – Steel – Blackwell

Harley – Lyubushkin

Lindell – Ceci

Bichsel – Dumba

Oettinger

DeSmith

Puck drop this evening is at 7:00 p.m. CT and the game is available to watch on TSN3.