No celebration yet, as the Stars shut out the Jets, one win away from finishing the division

It was a night to remember for the Stars on Thursday.

Facing the three-time division rival Winnipeg Jets this season, the Stars needed one more win to clinch their first Central Division title since 2015-16.

The New York Rangers also lost to the Philadelphia Flyers on the night, opening the door for the Stars to take first place in the Presidents Trophy race for the first time this season.

While all the variables lined up for the Stars heading into the matchup with the Jets, one thing Dallas couldn't take care of was control.

The Stars lost their first game against a divisional opponent this year and suffered their third loss of the season on home ice against the Jets 3-0. Dallas struggled for puck possession throughout the game and was suffocated by Winnipeg's elite defense as the Jets were able to score first and start their own game.

With the loss, Dallas still leads the Central Division by five points, but Colorado has a game in hand, so the Stars must win one of their final two games to clinch the title. They also lead the Western Conference by four points, but now need a win to guarantee the title.

Winnipeg is one of the NHL's best defensive teams and it was on display Thursday at the American Airlines Center. They held Dallas to well under 2.47 goals allowed per game, second most in the NHL. Former Stars head coach Rick Bowness now leads their team and is known for his defense-first style.

“I know most of this system clearly. A disciplined team,” said Stars forward Tyler Seguin. “Once they score the first point or two, they can really get into that system.”

But the Jets were able to play without their best player, Vezina winner Connor Helleick, who was rested for Saturday's game against Colorado, which could decide home-ice advantage in the first round.

Backup Lauren Brossoit had a great performance and got her third shutout of the season.

The Stars looked out of sync all game and Winnipeg had seven high-danger scoring chances to nine.

Even when they had their chances, luck was not in their favor. Breaks by Logan Stankoven and Wyatt Johnston early in the second period were stopped by Winnipeg's penalty kick. Another Johnston shot hit the post with 52.8 seconds left in the period, then Brossoit went back but somehow couldn't get in.

On the other hand, Winnipeg found a goal in every period. The first was scored by Nikolai Ehlers with a backhand as Jake Ettinger was recovering from an earlier save. The second was on a deflection by David Gustafsson. The third is the vacant goalkeeper Mark Scheifele.

Neither of the first two goals was Ettinger's fault, but he didn't get much defensive support.

Pete DeBoer switched defensive pairings throughout the game as 23-year-old Swedish defenseman Nils Lundqvist played just 8:44 in the contest. Ryan Suter got minutes behind the quarterback at 16:28.

“It's that time of year. It's not the same ice time,” DeBoer said of Lundqvist. “You have to make decisions to win hockey games. Coaches have to make tough decisions.”

Dallas hopes Thursday's game is all it needs to get out of its system before the playoffs begin. But with two games left in the regular season, the window to take control of their destiny closes.

“You have to have perspective,” DeBoer said. “We've had a good run here for a long time. Even though we left tonight, we didn't beat ourselves. They jumped around the cage several times. We didn't work hard to get another one.”

Twitter: @lassimak

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