The Stars announced on Tuesday that Lian Bichsel (lower body) will be sidelined for six to eight weeks. As such, Kolyachonok will draw back into the lineup on Tuesday and likely remain a lineup regular until Thomas Harley returns, likely in a few weeks.
Oettinger is battling an illness, but will still serve as the backup to Casey DeSmith on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old Oettinger could be ready to return to the crease tomorrow against the New Jersey Devils.
Bichsel was in agonizing pain after an awkward collision in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Ottawa Senators and needed to be helped off the ice. The 21-year-old Bichsel was off to a strong start in his first full NHL season, with 85 hits and three points (1G / 2A) in a shutdown role through 26 games.
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Stars will turn to DeSmith to tend the twine on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. DeSmith has been outstanding in a supporting role for the Stars this season. The 34-year-old goalie has a dazzling 1.80 GAA and .934 SV% in his last eight games (6-0-2). The Stars are riding a four-game winning streak and enter Tuesday's contest as -126 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bichsel had to be helped off of the ice after suffering a lower-body injury during a collision with the sideboards. Post-game, the Stars said that Bichsel will be evaluated on Monday and that they are hoping it's not as serious as they initially thought.
The Stars are 8-1-1 in their last 10, riding a three-game winning streak, and will turn to DeSmith on Sunday against an Ottawa Senators team they defeated 3-2 earlier this month. The 34-year-old DeSmith has been outstanding in limited action this season, posting a 2.20 GAA and .919 SV% in eight games (5-1-2). He has allowed three or fewer goals in his last seven games (5-0-2).
Duchene suffered an upper-body injury after a massive open-ice hit from Minnesota's Jacob Middleton in the third game of the season, was sidelined for one game, returned, and has mysteriously been out of the lineup since. Few details have been released regarding Duchene's injury, but has has been practicing with the team for the last several days. That said, there is no real timeline for when he may return, despite travelling with the team on the current road trip. The 34-year-old Duchene led Dallas last season with 82 points (30G / 52A) in 82 games.
After a mediocre 3-3-0 start to the 2025-26 season, the Stars have switched gears and become one of the top teams in the NHL, going 12-2-4 in 18 games since. That said, the Stars still hope Oettinger can up his game to another level. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.74 GAA and .900 SV% in 16 games this season (10-4-2). The Stars enter Friday’s contest as -130 home favorites against a Utah Mammoth team that is 3-4-3 in its last 10 games.
Nathan Bastian had a strong two-goal performance last night and has been rewarded, staying in the lineup in favor of Colin Blackwell with Mikko Rantanen returning from a one-game suspension. The 32-year-old Blackwell is averaging 11:42 time-on-ice and has six points (2G / 4A) in 23 games this season.
The Stars erupted offensively for an 8-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers last night and will turn to DeSmith on the tail end of their back-to-back on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 34-year-old Smith has been outstanding in a complementary role to Jake Oettinger this season, showcasing a stellar 2.22 GAA and .917 SV% in seven games (4-1-2). DeSmith saved 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 2-1 win over Seattle earlier this month. The Stars enter the action on Wednesday as -119 road favorites.
With Mikko Rantanen serving a one-game suspension, Bastian will draw into the Stars' lineup on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 27-year-old Bastian has one point (1G / 0A) in 15 games this season and will likely suit up on the Stars' fourth line.
Oettinger faced highly publicised criticism after losing to the Edmonton Oilers in consecutive Western Conference finals, and should be fired up to face them for the first time since. The 26-year-old Oettinger was outstanding in his most recent game, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He has a 2.72 GAA and .902 SV% in 15 games this season (9-4-2). The Stars, without Mikko Rantanen (suspended), enter Tuesday's contest as +120 road underdogs against an Oilers team that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).
