Jets Edge Stars in Shootout Thriller

Winnipeg Jets defeat Dallas Stars in dramatic overtime finish

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:17pm

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The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Dallas Stars 4-3 in a thrilling shootout on Thursday night. The game was tied 3-3 at the end of regulation, leading to an exciting overtime period that was ultimately decided by a shootout.

Why it matters

This was an important divisional matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning in the Central Division. The Jets' victory over the Stars keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth, while the Stars missed out on an opportunity to widen their division lead.

The details

The Jets jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Stars battled back to tie the game at 2-2 by the end of the second period. The teams traded goals in the third to make it 3-3, setting up the dramatic overtime and shootout finish. Jets forward Kyle Connor scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give his team the victory.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The game went to overtime after being tied 3-3 at the end of regulation.

The players

Winnipeg Jets

A professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Dallas Stars

A professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Kyle Connor

A forward for the Winnipeg Jets who scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give his team the victory.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge win for us against a tough divisional opponent. The guys really battled hard and showed a lot of character to come back and win it in the shootout.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach, Winnipeg Jets

What’s next

The Jets will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Stars will aim to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This thrilling divisional matchup between the Jets and Stars showcased the intensity and competitiveness of the NHL's Central Division race, with both teams fighting hard for crucial points in the standings.