Connor’s Hat Trick Not Enough as Jets Fall to Stars in Opener

The Winnipeg Jets faced a challenging start to the NHL season, falling 5-4 to the Dallas Stars on October 9, 2025. The game marked the debut of Jonathan Toews with the Jets, but it was Kyle Connor who stole the spotlight with an impressive hat trick.

Connor’s performance included three goals, helping the Jets stage a comeback after being down 4-1 in the third period. Despite his efforts, the Stars secured the victory, bolstered by a goal and two assists from Mikko Rantanen.

“Yeah, for sure,” Connor said when asked if he found satisfaction in his performance following his recent eight-year, $96 million contract extension. “The bottom line is, we want to get some wins in this league. It’s a lot more fun when you win, but I’m just trying to contribute as much as I can and show a little more leadership this year.”

In front of a sold-out crowd at Canada Life Centre, Toews received a warm welcome during his introduction. This was his first NHL game since April 13, 2023, when he played for the Chicago Blackhawks. Logging 18:19 of ice time, Toews managed one shot on goal. The three-time Stanley Cup champion had missed the previous two seasons due to health issues, including Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and long-term effects from COVID-19.

“Just a lot of energy. A lot of excitement. I’m just trying to contain myself there,” Toews remarked about the crowd’s enthusiastic reception. The 37-year-old acknowledged he felt “close” to being in game shape but recognized there were areas for improvement.

“I definitely want to start the play with the puck off the faceoffs,” he continued. “There were some situations where my line created chances, even on the power play, so I think there are some positives I’m excited about.”

Jets head coach Scott Arniel noted that Toews, like many of his teammates, took time to find his rhythm in the game. “I thought I saw changes in his game in that second period,” Arniel said. “He started to have the puck a little bit more, had some looks, and that line started to do some things.”

The Dallas Stars praised Toews’ return to the ice. Rantanen expressed his joy at seeing Toews back in action. “It’s great for the league to have a player like him back,” he said. “It was a long journey back, and I thought he looked good out there.”

Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan, in his second stint with the franchise, also acknowledged Toews’ effort, stating, “For a guy who hasn’t played for a while, he’s still a great player.”

The Jets started the game strong but found themselves trailing by the end of the second period, with the score at 2-1. The third period saw no scoring during the middle frame, although it featured multiple penalties for the Jets. Dallas capitalized on these opportunities, with Jason Robertson scoring early in the third and Tyler Seguin extending the lead shortly after.

As the crowd grew quieter, the Jets ignited hope with two short-handed goals from Morgan Barron and Connor. Connor completed his hat trick with just over three minutes left in the game, but the Jets could not secure the equalizer.

In conclusion, while the Jets faced a setback in their season opener, Connor’s standout performance and Toews’ return to the NHL offer promising signs for the team moving forward. The Jets will look to build on their efforts in the upcoming games as they strive for a successful season.