It's hard to find something as much of an emotional roller coaster ride as playoff hockey.For Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets fans, that might be the understatement of the year.Both teams went from staring the end of their seasons dead in the face to getting ready to play each other in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against a St. Louis Blues shot during the third period of Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monday April 21, 2025. Credit: AP/FRED GREENSLADE

The Dallas Stars are in familiar territory. After a hard-fought opening round series, head coach Pete DeBoer concocted another Game 7 victory against Colorado, setting the stage for Dallas to face the West’s top team, Winnipeg, in the second round.