Dallas Stars News

The Stars are without forwards Evgenii Dadonov (lower-body) and presumably Matt Duchene (lower-body), who was a last-minute scratch on Monday. The Stars are playing the back end of a back-to-back on Tuesday and have recalled some offensive pedigree in the form of their highly touted prospect. Stankoven has transitioned seamlessly in his first professional season, leading the AHL with 57 points (24G / 33A) in 46 games with the Texas Stars. He could make his NHL debut on Tuesday depending on the health and availability of other Stars' players, namely Duchene.

Heiskanen did not play Monday afternoon to be with his wife for the birth of their child but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Despite quarterbacking a struggling Stars powerplay unit, Heiskanen has managed to stay productive, scoring 10 points (2G / 8A) in his last 12 games while averaging 23:34 time-on-ice.

Hellberg was recalled for precautionary reasons, although Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan didn't specify whether it was in regards to Tristan Jarry or Alex Nedjelkovic, who both played over the weekend. Hellberg has a 3.03 GAA and .901 SV% in 17 games (8-7-2) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) this season.

Duchene participated in the pre-game skate but was a last-minute scratch for the Stars. Duchene joins Miro Heiskanen, Jani Hakanpaa, and Evgeni Dadanov as lineup regulars sidelined on Monday afternoon. Sam Steel is expected to see increased offensive deployment, likely centring Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment during Duchene's absence.

With Nils Lundkvist experiencing concussion-like symptoms, Jani Hakanpaa suffering from an upper-body injury, and Miro Heiskanen away from the team for the birth of his child, the Dallas Stars have opted to recall defensemen Alex Petrovic and Derrick Pouliot from the Texas Stars. Petrovic has played 263 career NHL games, mainly with the Florida Panthers between the 2012-13 and 2018-19 seasons, but has played exclusively in the NHL since 2019-20. The 31-year-old Petrovic has 16 points (3G / 13A) in 44 games with Texas (AHL) this season.

Heiskanen did not travel with the Stars to Boston and remained in Dallas to be with his wife for the birth of his child. The Stars are also without Jani Hakanpaa (upper-body) and will see Alex Petrovic and Derrick Pouliot make their season debuts. Thomas Harley will likely see the greatest boost in playing time and offensive deployment on Monday with Heiskanen out of the lineup.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Stars will turn to Oettinger for the fifth straight game. Oettinger saw his seven-game winning streak snap on Saturday when he allowed four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Before that contest, Oettinger was playing remarkably, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0) while posting a tremendous .944 SV%. That said, the Stars will be without Miro Heiskanen (personal) on Monday and are +121 road underdogs against the Boston Bruins.

DeSmith will start on Monday, his first appearance in five games. The 32-year-old DeSmith has been serviceable when called upon this season but is riding a three-game losing skid (0-0-3) and has allowed three or more goals in each contest while posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Canucks enter action as -125 road favourites against the Minnesota Wild.

Blumel was recalled on Sunday purely for salary cap purposes as the Stars have opted to return him to the Texas Stars and have recalled defensemen Derrick Pouliot and Alex Petrovic instead. Blumel has been having an impressive season with the Texas Stars (AHL), scoring 38 points (20G / 18A) in 46 games.

With Nils Lundkvist experiencing concussion-like symptoms, the Dallas Stars have opted to recall defensemen Alex Petrovic and Derrick Pouliot from the Texas Stars. Petrovic has played 263 career NHL games, mainly with the Florida Panthers between the 2012-13 and 2018-19 seasons, but has played exclusively in the NHL since 2019-20. The 31-year-old Petrovic has 16 points (3G / 13A) in 44 games with Texas (AHL) this season.

Dadonov was limited to only 8:35 time-on-ice before exiting February 10th's 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens with a lower-body fracture. Dadonov had three points (2G / 1A) in his last five games before his injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Lundkvist suffered an upper-body injury early in Thursday's win in Nashville. Head coach Pete DeBoer said Lundkvist was dealing with concussion-like symptoms, so don't expect him to play Saturday afternoon. Expect Joel Hanley to replace him on the Stars' third pair.

Lundkvist exited Thursday's 9-2 win over the Nashville Predators with only 1:34 time-on-ice after being on the receiving end of a controversial hit from Jeremy Lauzon. The 23-year-old Lundkvist has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 43 games this season.

Oettinger is riding a six-game winning streak and will return to the crease for the third straight game on Thursday. The 25-year-old Oettinger has been tremendous since the All-Star break, allowing two or fewer goals in three games (3-0-0), and posting an outstanding .951 SV%. If Oettinger continues to play at this elite level, the Stars will be a force to be reckoned with down the stretch and into the playoffs. Dallas is a -151 road favourite against a Nashville Predators club that defeated them 6-3 last month.

Smith missed the Devils' previous 10 games due to a knee injury but was activated from Injured Reserve and is available on Tuesday vs. Nashville. The 35-year-old hybrid defencemen will make a welcome addition to the Devils' blueline with his one goal, four assists, 31 SOG, and 47 PIMs. Santeri Hatakka was reassigned to Utica (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Oettinger will start for the sixth time in the last seven games and attempt to extend his winning streak to six. After struggling for much of the season, Oettinger has strung together two excellent performances, allowing only three goals and saving 65 of his last 68 shots faced (.956 SV%). The Stars are slight -115 home favourites on Tuesday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that has won five of their last six (5-1-0).

Dadonov was limited to only 8:35 time-on-ice before exiting the game with a lower-body fracture. Dadonov had three points (2G / 1A) in his last five games. The opening in the Stars lineup could create an opportunity for the Stars to recall their top prospect, Logan Stankoven, who is currently the AHL scoring leader.