Casey DeSmith News

DeSmith has only started two games in December but will get his third on Tuesday night when Dallas hosts the Buffalo Sabres. The 33-year-old DeSmith has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2.41 GAA and .910 SV% in 10 appearances (4-4-0). He has a 2-0-0 record and a .957 SV% in December. The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -219 home favorites against a Sabres club that has responded from an atrocious 13-game losing skid (0-10-3) but outscoring their opposition 17-5 in their last three games (3-0-0).

The Stars have lost two straight with Jake Oettinger between the pipes and will revert to DeSmith in their final game before the holiday break. The 33-year-old DeSmith has a 2.47 GAA and .909 SV% in nine appearances this season (3-4-0). DeSmith has not started a game since December 2nd, but it was an exceptional performance, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The Stars enter Monday's contest as -159 road favorites against a Utah team that played last night, losing 5-4 to the Anaheim Ducks.

It's unclear if DeSmith will be able to suit on Saturday but if he isn't, Dallas will have to recall a netminder from Texas (AHL) to serve as Oettinger's backup. DeSmith last played on December 2nd, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Stars will turn to DeSmith between the pipes. The 33-year-old DeSmith has a 2.81 GAA and .891 SV% in seven appearances this season (2-4-0), struggling immensely in his last two outings (0-2-0), allowing 10 goals on 53 shots (.811 SV%). The Stars had an impressive 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets last night. They enter Monday's contest as -132 road favorites against the Utah Hockey Club, averaging 4.0 goals per game over their last five (3-1-1).

Jake Oettinger had a forgetful night in the Stars' previous game, a 6-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, and the club will revert to DeSmith between the pipes on Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. DeSmith allowed four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, but has been serviceable in limited action for the Stars this season, posting a 2.22 GAA and .914 SV% in six appearances (2-3-0). The Stars enter Wednesday's contest as sizeable -229 road favorites against a Blackhawks club they have outscored 7-3 in two games this season (2-0-0).

Jake Oettinger was in the starter's crease at the morning skate, but the team announced that DeSmith would be between the pipes on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The 33-year-old DeSmith has been outstanding in limited action for the Stars this season, posting a 1.79 GAA and .929 SV% in five games (2-2-0). The Stars enter the action as ginormous -436 home favorites against a Ducks club with the worst offense in the league, averaging only 2.4 goals per game.

DeSmith stopped 25 of 27 shots in the Stars win in Boston last Thursday. With Jake Oettinger starting on Friday, DeSmith will get the second-half of the back-to-back on Saturday vs. the Panthers. He's had a great start to his Stars career, going 2-1-0 with a 1.69 GAA, .936 SV% and one shutout in three starts.

The Stars organization made it very clear that Jake Oettinger is their goalie of the future, signing an eight-year contract extension last week, but they continue to be very liberal with their early-season goalie rotation and will return to DeSmith between the pipes for the third time in eight games. The 33-year-old DeSmith has been stellar when called upon early in the season, posting a 1.53 GAA and .941 SV% in two contests (1-1-0). The Stars enter the action on Thursday as slight +103 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club that has been outscored 24-21 this season (3-3-1).

The Stars have an afternoon contest against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and are opting to keep Jake Oettinger fresh for that matchup, resulting in DeSmith occupying the crease on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. DeSmith was excellent in his only start of the season, saving all 25 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken. The undefeated Dallas Stars (4-0-0), one of only three remaining teams without a loss, enters Thursday's matchup as a -153 road favorite against the Capitals.

The Stars have an afternoon contest against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and are likely opting to keep Jake Oettinger fresh for that matchup, resulting in DeSmith occupying the crease on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. DeSmith was excellent in his only start of the season, saving all 25 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken. The undefeated Dallas Stars (4-0-0), one of only three remaining teams without a loss, enters Thursday's matchup as a -153 road favorite against the Capitals.

Thatcher Demko will remain out of the lineup for at least one more game and as a result, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith between the pipes again in game three. DeSmith struggled in game two, his series debut, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%), in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, evening the series at 1-1. The Canucks enter action as +101 road underdogs on Friday.

With the surprising news that Thatcher Demko (undisclosed) will not be available for game two, and possibly beyond, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith in the crease. DeSmith is familiar with the Canucks crease as he was their mainstay between the pipes for the latter part of the season as Demko missed most of the final month due to a knee injury. DeSmith had a 2.89 GAA and .895 SV% in 29 games this season (12-9-6). The Canucks enter game two against the Nashville Predators as -131 home favourites.