NHL analyst Jake Tye of The Hockey News revealed that the four crucial games between the Jets and the Stars next season could decide the division winner. The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a record season, but they'll need to dominate the Central Division, starting with four important games versus the Dallas Stars, if they're going to repeat, <a href='https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/divisional-focus-jets-look-for-redemption-when-battling-stars' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>per NHL analyst Jake Tye of The Hockey News.</a> The Central is tougher than ever and with only three available spots plus a pair of wild card spots, they need to win these games. - Jake Tye With only three guaranteed playoff spots and two wild-card spots, every game played within the division counts. Winnipeg won three of four meetings with Dallas a year ago, avenging the Stars' identical success in the previous season. The rivalry has been competitive for years, with the clubs dead-even at 27 wins apiece in 60 all-time meetings, though Dallas has an edge by way of six overtime victories. The Jets will be looking for revenge after being eliminated by the Stars in the second round and aiming to convert regular-season momentum into playoff success. <h3>The Jets Lost Several Star Players This Offseason</h3> <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/two-young-winnipeg-jets-forwards-expected-to-battle-to-replace-nikolaj-ehlers-in-the-top-six' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Winnipeg's offseason was highlighted by major losses</a>, including top-six winger Nikolaj Ehlers and third-line mainstay Mason Appleton. They did shore up the lineup with proven power, adding 75-point producer Gustav Nyquist and veteran leader Jonathan Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup champion. Dallas, meanwhile, splashed by acquiring superstar Mikko Rantanen via trade but lost key contributors in winger Mikael Granlund, depth forward Mason Marchment, and top-four defenseman Cody Ceci. They fell in the Conference Finals to Edmonton for the second year in a row despite another outstanding run. These four games this season could end up being the deciding factor in the Central Division crown. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NHLNetwork/status/1946283834665799931'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> The Jets and Stars begin the season by playing each other on October 9th in Winnipeg, again at Canada Life Centre on December 9th, and in Dallas on February 2nd and April 2nd. With so much riding on it, fans can expect another series of must-watch, battle-tested confrontations between these two powerhouses.