Ben Bishop News

Bishop was expected to return at some point during the 2021 season but the Stars will keep him out to allow him time "to continue his rehabilitation and return to full health for the 2022 season." With Bishop out, the Stars will continue to roll with a goaltending tandem of Anton Khudobin and Jake Oettinger.

With Bishop out for at least one month, the Stars will continue to lean on Anton Khudobin as their No.1 netminder, as they did during their playoff run. Bishop told The Athletic that the surgery was to repair the meniscus in his right knee and that he is expecting to get back to Dallas in the next couple of weeks and hopes to be on the ice soon.

Bishop only played in the first Stars' round-robin game and then missed the third due to being "unfit to play." However, head coach Rick Bowness said he's available to start Game 1 vs. Calgary and likely will. He allowed four goals on 32 shots in the round-robin loss to Vegas and was 1-1-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .916 SV% in three games vs. the Flames this season.

The Stars have two very capable goaltenders and both will probably see playing time during the round-robin but Bishop will start the opener. He was 21-16-4 with a 2.50 GAA and .920 SV% in 43 starts this seasons. In two starts vs. the Golden Knights, Bishop was 1-0-1 with a 2.48 GAA and .917 SV%.

Bishop allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Stars loss to the Predators on Saturday. He played well but the Predators couldn't solve Juuse Saros at the other end of the ice. Bishop is on a three-game losing streak, allowing a combined nine goals on 64 shots (.859 SV%). Tonight he faces a Rangers team that has lost four of their last five while averaging 3.20 goals for and 4.80 goals against per game.

Bishop allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Stars loss in Boston on February 27th. Anton Khudobin has started the last three games, partly due to a Bishop lower-body injury, but he's back in the crease this afternoon vs. the Predators. He's 13-9-2 with a 2.19 GAA and .930 SV% on home ice this season and stopped 31 of 33 shots in a win in his first start vs. Nashville.

Bishop did not dress on Tuesday due to a minor lower-body injury but is expected to at least back up on Thursday. Jake Oettinger was sent back to the AHL on Wednesday, clearing the way for Bishop to suit up in Nashville. It’s unclear whether he or Anton Khudobin will get the nod.

Stars head coach Rick Bowness said that Bishop has a "lower-body situation" and is getting the night off. Jake Oettinger was recalled from Texas (AHL) and is expected to backup Anton Khudobin vs. the Oilers.