Stars’ Matt Dumba out vs. Predators with upper-body injury

The Dallas Stars will be without defenseman Matt Dumba for Thursday’s game against the Nashville Predators, as he is out with an upper-body injury.

Lian Bichsel will play tonight in his NHL debut. Matt Dumba is out with an injury. #TexasHockey

— Brien Rea (@BrienRea) December 12, 2024

Dumba sustained the injury during Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames, although the cause of the injury is unknown, and it didn’t cause him to leave the game prematurely. He underwent further tests on Wednesday and was determined to not be fit for Thursday’s game. His timeline for return is unknown, but considering the day-to-day nature that the Stars are approaching this injury with, it’s likely a short-term injury.

Dumba also sustained an upper-body injury back in January of this year when he played for the Arizona Coyotes, although it’s unclear if he’s dealing with the same kind of injury.

With Dumba out, Lian Bichsel will draw into the lineup in his place, likely alongside Thomas Harley based on the defense pairs run during Wednesday’s practice. Bichsel has 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 21 games so far in the AHL with the Stars’ minor league affiliate, the Texas Stars.

Dumba has struggled offensively so far this season with the Stars, as he has just 1 assist in 19 games, a 4-point pace that would easily be his worst output in a season in his career. However, he has done well defensively this year, with his 2.17 5v5 expected goals against per 60 being the best on the team.

Dumba is currently in the first year of a two-year contract with a $3.75 million cap hit, one he signed with the Stars in the 2024 offseason.

The Stars will look to build off of Sunday’s win over the Flames without Dumba when they host the Predators on Thursday at 7 p.m. CST. They currently sit in third place in the Central Division with a 17-10-0 record.