Game 1 goes to the Stars.
Dallas ended its losing streak in series openers on Wednesday with a high-stress 3-2 victory in Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets.
Mikko Rantanen did the heavy lifting in the second period, staying red-hot with another hat trick in the span of just one period. Then Jake Oettinger did the rest, standing tall in the third to bring home the win.
Check out our full coverage from Game 1 below, including highlights, reactions, analysis and more after Dallas gets out to an early lead in Round 2.
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— 5 thoughts from Stars-Jets: Mikko Rantanen’s hat trick helps Dallas end Game 1 skid
— Stars’ Mikko Rantanen making his case as the biggest superstar in Dallas: ‘He’s on fire’
— Watch: Sizzling Mikko Rantanen scores 3 goals in one period for the second straight game
— National reaction from Stars-Jets Game 1: Mikko Rantanen might be ‘The Terminator’
— Jason Robertson returns to Stars lineup for Game 1 vs. Jets
Jake Oettinger weathers a storm in the final five minutes and somehow keeps the Jets out of the goal. The Stars win Game 1 to end their 8-game losing streaks in series openers, behind the flaming-hot stick of Mikko Rantanen.
AHHHHHHHpic.twitter.com/aXH7oy7YJw
5:40 left in the third: Still a one-goal game as things get scrappy in the third.
🤨🤨🤨
(Via @BR_OpenIce | #TexasHockey)pic.twitter.com/jzDI3kf9F5
12:00 left in the third: Seguin is out of the box and the Stars are still in the lead after the PK.
14:00 left in the third: The teams have traded power plays to start the third. Winnipeg successfully killed off the first, now the Stars will have to go on the kill after a Tyler Seguin high sticking call. Dallas still leads 3-2 thanks to Mikko Rantanen.
The Jets’ second goal took some of the starch out of it, but the story of the second period was all about Moose. Mikko Rantanen sends the Stars to the locker room with a 3-2 lead.
The Rantanen honeymoon ends as the Jets get back on the board just before the end of the second period.
Rantanen scores again, his second straight game in which he tallied a hat trick in the span of one period.
GIVE MOOSE ALL THE HATS.
ANOTHER MIKKO PLAYOFF HATTY. #TEXASHOCKEY pic.twitter.com/vPaBGOQtFc
Copy, paste.
Mikko Rantanen scores his fifth goal in the last three periods and gives the Stars the lead. The trade deadline acquisition is on an absolute tear for Dallas.
Rantanen x2 👀🚨 pic.twitter.com/gn7dQW94E0
Who else?
Shortly after the Jets jump out in front, Mikko Rantanen scores his fourth goal in the last three periods to tie the game.
Big boys need to be big boys. 😤🫎
Mikko Rantanen ties it for the Stars.
(Via @DallasStars | #TexasHockey)pic.twitter.com/2heFNDZxI4
Nino Niederreiter sneaks a backhand shot past Jake Oettinger and Winnipeg is on the board first.
NINO NIEDERREITER OPENS THE SCORING IN WINNIPEG 🚨 pic.twitter.com/LOXluK1BJ1
18:00 left in the second: The Stars start off the second period by successfully killing off their second penalty of the night. Still scoreless in Game 1.
0:05 left in the first: Just before the horn sounds on the first period, Stars defenseman Codi Ceci gets tagged for a high stick. The Stars will go on the penalty kill for the second time tonight as the first period ends scoreless.
End of first: Stars 0, Jets 0
Well, that was about as even of a period as you could've hoped expected.
Dallas started strong. Then, the ice tilted in Winnipeg's direction. Both goalies were fantastic.
Jets will start the second period on the power play.
4:19 left in the first: Marchment is back on and the Stars successfully kill off the Jets’ power play. Jake Oettinger came up big with a nice stop toward the end of the kill.
6:30 left in the first: Winnipeg will get the first power play of the series after a hooking call on Mason Marchment.
A big opportunity for the Jets, who have been outplayed in this first period. And a big test for the Stars.
15:00 left in the first: Scoreless through the first five minutes of Game 1 but the Stars have created some good chances early. Dallas has 10 shot attempts to Winnipeg’s zero to start the game.
The Stars have started hot.
8-0 shot advantage 7 mins in. Winnipeg hasn't gotten anything going offensively.
Jake Oettinger doesn't like those games though. He likes to see a lot of shots.
Connor Hellebuyck is having no trouble at his end.
8:30 p.m.: It’s official. Jason Robertson will return to the ice for the Stars, a huge addition to the offense for Game 1 of this series.
🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/0oRHprP1PG
8:20 p.m.: Expected lines for the Stars:
Granlund-Hintz-Rantanen
Benn-Duchene-Seguin
Marchment-Johnston-Robertson
Bäck-Steel-Dadonov
Lindell-Ceci
Harley-Lyubushkin
Bichsel-Petrovic
Oettinger
DeSmith
8:15 p.m.: Jason Robertson is on the ice for Stars warmups. He’s looking to make his return to game action for the first time since the regular-season finale.
Jason Robertson is on the ice for warmups. pic.twitter.com/rrl09cmI9n
WINNIPEG — Round 2 begins here.
The Stars and Jets will play their first-ever playoff game against one another tonight at Canada Life Centre.
Game 1 🔜 pic.twitter.com/TJ9yRy0QsD
In a sea of white, I found Brett, the one Stars fan. pic.twitter.com/OoeKEmgMaJ
Level up. pic.twitter.com/Arw5NcOxeR
Since the Stars moved to Dallas, there are only four Western Conference teams they have not played in the playoffs. One gets crossed off that list tonight.
Winnipeg Jets
Utah Mammoth
Chicago Blackhawks
Los Angeles Kings
Miro Heiskanen is out tonight for Game 1, but he is skating today. pic.twitter.com/usSKxqm2N4
Jason Robertson is on the ice for Stars optional morning skate.
Game-time decision tonight. pic.twitter.com/e9eOx3gUEd
— Stars’ Pete DeBoer gives latest update on Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson ahead of Game 1
— Why Dallas Stars’ path to a Stanley Cup won’t get any tougher than the Winnipeg Jets
— Stars goalie Jake Oettinger’s playoff-built reputation comes with a smile
— Stars-Jets predictions: Does Dallas have edge in second-round series vs. Winnipeg?
— Dallas Stars bandwagon guide: 5 reasons to hop on board for the Stanley Cup push
— Change of scenery could help Stars overcome their Game 1 demons against Winnipeg
— 5 things to know about Stars-Jets series: All eyes on Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
The SportsDay staff is a team of editors and producers on the sports desk who create content for The Dallas Morning News.
