The Winnipeg Jets are set to face the Dallas Stars in Game 2 of the Western Conference Second Round, looking to bounce back after a narrow 3-2 loss in the series opener. The Jets, who have struggled with injuries throughout the postseason, are finally at full strength, with star defenseman Josh Morrissey expected to return to the lineup after missing Game 1 due to an injury sustained in the first period of their previous series against the St. Louis Blues.
Head coach Scott Arniel expressed optimism about his team’s health going into the crucial matchup. “We’re up and running now,” Arniel said on Friday morning. “We’re healthy, and let’s just get back at it. Get after these guys tonight, go get ourselves a win.” Morrissey’s presence is expected to reinvigorate the Jets, who struggled on the power play in Game 1, going 0-for-4 against the Stars.
Morrissey, who averaged 24:23 of ice time during the regular season and led all Jets defensemen with 62 points (14 goals, 48 assists), has been a key player for Winnipeg. He has three assists in seven playoff games this year. His return allows the Jets to revert to their preferred defensive pairings, with Morrissey teaming up with Dylan DeMelo, while Neal Pionk will be paired with Dylan Samberg. Arniel has opted to scratch Luke Schenn for Haydn Fleury, a move aimed at matching the Stars’ style of play.
“He’s a part of our rush, he’s a part of that offensive side,” Arniel said of Morrissey. “You know what he does with that shot of his. But the other side, too, his feet, his mobility – they have more than just one good player that’s playing really well right now. Josh and Mel (DeMelo) have done a great job for us the last couple of years playing against top-end players.”
The Jets were unable to capitalize on their power play opportunities in Game 1, a situation that Morrissey’s return could rectify. Winnipeg is currently 5-for-26 (19.2 percent) on the power play this postseason, but they struggled without Morrissey in Game 1. “We really need them to be a big, big threat,” Arniel said, referring to his top power-play unit, which includes forwards Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Kyle Connor.
The Stars, meanwhile, are looking to build on their Game 1 victory, which marked their first win in a playoff series opener since 2020. Stars forward Jason Robertson noted the shift in mentality for his team. “We’re up a game and we have to take control because we know there’s going to be pushback,” he said. The Stars are expected to dress the same lineup that secured the win in Game 1, with Miro Heiskanen still sidelined due to a knee injury.
As the Jets prepare for Game 2, they are aware of the importance of making adjustments from their previous outing. The team has been focusing on the details that led to their defeat, especially the need for better execution and connectivity on the ice. Adam Lowry pointed out that the Jets got burned by “the plays before the play” in Game 1, emphasizing the importance of being proactive rather than reactive.
“In a tight, evenly-matched series, those things are the difference,” Lowry said. “We need to make sure that our desperation level is comparable to theirs.” The Jets are aware that they cannot afford to fall behind 2-0 in the series, especially with the next two games set to take place in Dallas.
Both teams have been preparing for the intensity that Game 2 is sure to bring. The Jets are eager to demonstrate their capabilities and capitalize on the power play, while the Stars are determined to maintain their momentum and take control of the series. With Morrissey back in the lineup, the Jets believe they can turn the tide in their favor.
As the puck drops at Canada Life Centre at 9:30 p.m. ET, fans will be watching closely to see if the Jets can even the series and regain their footing in the postseason. With a full roster and a renewed sense of urgency, Winnipeg is ready to make a statement in Game 2.
