WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Oct. 9, 2025) — The Dallas Stars opened their 2025–26 NHL campaign in dramatic fashion Thursday night, surviving a furious late rally to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 5–4 at Canada Life Centre. The win marked a successful debut for head coach Glen Gulutzan, who returned behind the Stars’ bench more than a decade after his first stint with the franchise.

The story of the night, however, belonged to Mikko Rantanen, the marquee offseason acquisition who wasted no time making an impact. The Finnish winger recorded a goal and two assists in his first game as a Star, providing the offensive spark that carried Dallas to its first victory of the season.

“That’s the kind of start you want from a player of his caliber,” Gulutzan said postgame. “He’s a difference-maker, and tonight he showed how much he can change a game when he’s on the ice.”

Rantanen Shines in Green

Rantanen set the tone early, opening the scoring just 5:32 into the first period by snapping a wrist shot past Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck off a feed from Jason Robertson. The duo — expected to be one of the most dynamic scoring pairs in the Western Conference — looked comfortable from the drop of the puck, generating sustained pressure on the Jets’ defense throughout the opening frame.

Robertson added a goal of his own later in the second period, extending Dallas’s lead to 3–1 and finishing with two points (1 G, 1 A).

Nils Lundkvist, Tyler Seguin, and Wyatt Johnston also found the back of the net, helping Dallas build what appeared to be an insurmountable 5–1 lead early in the third period.

Goaltender Jake Oettinger was sharp early, stopping 21 of 25 shots, and made key saves during Winnipeg’s frantic third-period push.

Connor’s Contract and Hat Trick Headline Jets’ Rally

If the night belonged to Rantanen, it nearly turned into Kyle Connor’s coronation. Less than 24 hours after signing an eight-year, $96 million extension, the Jets winger rewarded the home crowd with a dazzling hat trick that nearly stole the game back for Winnipeg.

Down 5–1 midway through the third, the Jets rallied behind Morgan Barron’s short-handed goal at 9:53, sparking energy back into the building. Connor followed with a pair of goals — including another short-handed tally less than a minute later — and capped his hat trick with 3:03 left to cut the deficit to one.

Mark Scheifele assisted on all three of Connor’s goals, showcasing the chemistry that will drive Winnipeg’s top line this season.

“We never stopped battling,” Connor said. “When we play fast and aggressive, we can hang with anyone. We just dug ourselves too deep a hole.”

Gulutzan’s Return and a Familiar Ending

For Gulutzan, the win represented a full-circle moment. The 53-year-old coached Dallas from 2011–2013 before spending seven seasons as an assistant in Edmonton, where he helped the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. His return to Dallas comes after the team’s Western Conference Final exit last spring under former coach Pete DeBoer.

“This organization means a lot to me,” Gulutzan said. “To be back and get a win in a building like this — where we’ve had battles before — it’s special. But it’s also just one of 82. We’ve got work to do.”

The Stars improved to 34–22–5 all-time against Winnipeg, including a 15–13–3 record on the road.

Toews Makes Emotional Jets Debut

The Winnipeg crowd reserved its loudest ovation of the night for Jonathan Toews, the hometown hero who made his long-awaited return to NHL action. The veteran center, playing in his 1,068th career regular-season game, logged over 18 minutes of ice time in his Jets debut after missing two full seasons due to health concerns.

“It felt great to be back out there,” Toews said. “The crowd gave me chills. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Up Next

The Stars (1–0–0) head to Denver on Saturday to face the Colorado Avalanche, another early test against a Western Conference powerhouse. The Jets (0–1–0) will look to rebound when they host the Minnesota Wild.

For Dallas, Thursday’s opener was about more than just two points — it was a statement that the Stars remain a serious contender in the West, powered by a new bench boss and a superstar winger already shining bright in victory green.