Dallas, TX
Five thoughts from Stars-Jets Game 2: Dallas grounded in lopsided loss
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Dallas Stars could no longer ride the high from their last two games.
After hat tricks in back-to-back games for Mikko Rantanen, the Stars were humbled early by the Jets attack and their offense went cold in a 4-0 loss in Game 2 at Canada Life Centre.
The series returns to Dallas tied 1-1, with the Stars stealing an important win in Game 1.
But the Jets’ response in Game 2 was concerning, as a Winnipeg team that’s underperformed all playoffs seemed to have awoken.
Here are five thoughts from the Stars’ Game 2 loss:
Shades of regular season
Friday’s game was much more in line with the regular-season series between the Stars and Jets than Game 1.
In four regular-season meetings, the Jets outscored the Stars 13-5. Winnipeg’s power play, overall offensive effort and goaltending proved to be far too much for the Stars to overcome when they met in the regular season and became key reasons the Jets went on to win the Presidents’ Trophy.
The Jets looked like the better team and a Stanley Cup contender again Friday, overcoming a shaky start to their playoff run. They scored just 3:35 into the game, added a second tally less than four minutes later and never looked back.
Just like many of their regular-season meetings, the Stars weren’t able to find an answer offensively, and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was a big reason.
Playing from behind
The Stars have sacrificed the first goal in eight of nine playoff games. They only scored first in their 6-2 rout of Colorado in Game 5.
Dallas has managed to come back after four of those early deficits, but it dug far too big of a hole Friday to recover.
Tyler Seguin committed a high-sticking penalty that was called a double minor just 17 seconds into the game. Toward the end of that four-minute power play, Gabriel Vilardi scored the Jets’ first goal. Minutes later, Nikolaj Ehlers’ shot bounced off Esa Lindell’s skate and in.
The Stars have recovered from multigoal deficits before, like in the third period of Game 7, but didn’t have the necessary push in Game 2.
In the regular season, the Stars were 31-11-4 when scoring first compared with 19-15-2 when trailing first.
Connor Hellebuyck puts up MVP performance
The Jets’ starting goalie is a Hart Trophy finalist for a reason, and he looked the part in Game 2.
Hellebuyck made 22 saves, including a handful of diving stops late in the second period when the Stars had one of their strongest pushes. He stymied any momentum the Stars built, keeping them off the board entirely.
Friday marked just the fourth shutout in 53 career playoff games for Hellebuyck.
Hellebuyck was inconsistent in the first round against St. Louis, posting an .830 save percentage and a 3.85 goals-against average. On the road, his numbers were far worse, with a .758 save percentage and a 7.24 goals-against average, so the real test will be how he fares when the series makes its way to Dallas on Sunday.
Penalties remain an issue
Penalties have been an issue for Dallas throughout the playoffs, and the wrong players have been the culprits as of late.
Earlier in the playoffs, it was Mason Marchment and Lian Bichsel, two of Dallas’ most physical players, responsible for the penalties. But Friday, the Stars’ veterans committed costly penalties early.
Seguin’s high-sticking double minor on his first shift led to Winnipeg’s first goal. Captain Jamie Benn then negated a Stars power play by tripping Adam Lowry. Whether Lowry embellished or not, Benn’s stick was in the wrong spot at a time it didn’t need to be there.
Dallas committed seven penalties Friday. Winnipeg finished 1 for 5 on the power play.
Stars return home in comfortable spot
A 4-0 loss is never comforting in the playoffs, but the Stars accomplished what they needed in Winnipeg.
Dallas split with the Jets, who had home-ice advantage entering the series, meaning the Stars have overtaken that edge. All they have to do is win Games 3, 4 and 6 at home to secure the series.
That, of course, is easier said than done, but Dallas is typically at its best after losses, especially demoralizing ones. The Stars have not dropped two games in a row yet in the postseason. Under Pete DeBoer, they are 14-5 after a playoff loss.
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
In need of help on the edge, the Dallas Cowboys tried to make a huge move this offseason. They made multiple attempts to trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby, but were never able to get a deal done.
Once that one was off the table, they decided to send a fourth round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for veteran Rashan Gary. The move was criticized, which is rather confusing when you think about it. Dallas gave up a mid-round pick, and reworked his contract to where it hardly makes any impact on a salary cap. They also filled a position of a great need with a player who might not threaten to lead the league in sacks, but is well-rounded and can help against the run just as much as he does when rushing the passer.
Gary is entering his eighth season in the league and has 271 tackles and 46.5 sacks. He’s coming off another solid campaign, which is why he’s No. 9 on our list of top 10 players on the Cowboys’ roster.
Rashan Gary 2025 review
Gary’s numbers in 2025 were respectable, but could be misleading. He was on pace to record 18 sacks, as he had 7.5 through the first seven games of the year. He then disappeared for the final nine games, recording no sacks while struggling to generate pressure.
That led to his season as a whole being considered rather disappointing, which is why the Packers were willing to move on. It’s also why Dallas was able to convince him to take a pay cut after he joined their team. What was most frustrating for Green Bay was the fact that they needed him to step up when Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL late in the year and Gary was unable to do so.
Rashan Gary 2026 prediction
One thing critics of the move are failing to see is the fact that Dallas doesn’t need Gary to record double-digit sacks. They need him to be the veteran voice for a group of young pass rushers who are trying to find their footing in the league.
Second year player, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and rookie Malachi Lawrence both have the talent to be game-changers off of the edge. What they don’t have, is the experience. That’s where Gary comes in.
As those two continue to develop, Gary will be the stabilizing veteran force who can make plays on early downs, while also being disruptive as a pass rusher. We can’t ignore the struggles that he had in 2025, but perhaps the change of scenery will give him some motivation to turn back the clock. And Dallas didn’t have to give up much to give him that opportunity.
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DALLAS – Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced that he is running for Mayor of Dallas on Monday.
Hinojosa says the city needs experienced leadership to address the budget challenges and pro sports teams leaving Downtown Dallas.
Addressing Dallas’ budget and pro sports team
Local perspective:
Michael Hinojosa served two stints as superintendent of Dallas ISD, totaling 13 years. He told FOX 4 that he officially filed paperwork to enter the race and plans to formally launch his campaign at a Tuesday morning news conference at Dallas City Hall.
Hinojosa points to financial track record at Dallas ISD
What they’re saying:
Hinojosa cited his tenure leading Dallas ISD as evidence of his financial management experience, saying the district’s reserves grew from about $32 million when he took over in 2005 to nearly $1 billion in obligated and unobligated fund balances by the time he left.
“I think that it’s really important for this community to know that we’re at an inflection point and that the city and the community need a strong, proven leader,” Hinojosa said.
He pointed to the city’s budget shortfall, employee furloughs and concerns over major sports franchises potentially leaving downtown as examples of challenges facing Dallas.
He said solving the city’s challenges would require coalition-building and pledged to focus on issues important to residents, taxpayers and businesses.
“I believe that a vision is a dream with a deadline,” Hinojosa said, adding that if elected he would aim to address the city’s biggest challenges within two terms.
Campaign announcement at Dallas City Hall
What’s next:
Hinojosa said he will outline his priorities during a 10 a.m. campaign announcement on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas City Hall.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by an interview conducted by FOX 4’s Shaun Rabb.
Construction plans disrupt business in East Dallas. Just a few days ago, the owners of Juju’s Coffee off La Vista Drive in Dallas were informed by Oncor that the street on which their shop is located will be closed.
One of the owners, Nick Rocha, said the closure will last six weeks, but if there are any delays, it could be extended until October.
The coffee shop, which opened in 2023, has recently gained a lot of popularity. One of their drinks, called the “do-si-dos,” has gone viral, and now they have lines out the door on a regular basis.
“It’s a peanut butter milk latte… We probably doubled our sales or more if I had to be honest,” said Rocha.
Since the drink’s release in April, the flow of customers has been nonstop.
“We were like, ‘We’ll go viral and then we’ll die out.’ Then we’re like, ‘Well, when is it going to be over, because we’re just getting slammed?’ We were both doing like 60- to 70-hour weeks… And it just kept going, and it turned from like, ‘Okay, we’re scared of it,’ to, ‘Okay, we can do this,’” said Rojas.
Rojas says that just as they were adjusting to the new normal, the notice from Oncor came.
“They were just like, ‘Yeah, so we’re going to close the street, sorry.’ That was tough… because we’re in the middle of dreaming and vision casting for what’s coming and what’s next,” said Rojas.
Starting July 20, La Vista Drive will be closed, sidewalk accessibility will be difficult, and street visibility will be too. Rojas believes the impact could drop their sales by about 50%. He says they’ve had meetings with the city and Oncor, but says there’s nothing they can do, and now their only plea is to their customers.
“Anybody that comes in and supports, it’s a genuine gratitude from us,” said Rojas.
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