With Jamie Benn (upper body) out with an injury, Blackwell will return to the lineup. The 32-year-old Blackwell has not played the previous two games and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 37 games this season.
The Stars are desperate to snap a season-worst five-game losing skid (0-2-3), and will turn to Oettinger to tend the twine on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old American goalie has allowed three or more goals in three straight games (0-1-2). He has a 2.62 GAA and .905 SV% in 27 games this season (16-7-4). The Stars enter the action on Tuesday as +122 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that snapped a three-game losing streak in their most recent game, a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Benn fell head-first into the ice after an awkward collision in Sunday's game against the Montreal Canadiens. The 36-year-old Benn spent some time gathering himself before leaving the ice without assistance. He has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 23 games this season.
DeSmith will rejoin the Stars after being away for two days to tend to personal matters. The 34-year-old goalie has had a solid season, posting a 2.44 GAA and .912 SV% in 15 games (9-2-4), but has struggled a bit lately, posting a sub-.900 SV% in three straight games (1-1-1).
Bastian scored three points (2G / 1A) in a four-game conditioning stint with the Texas Stars (AHL) and has been recalled by Dallas. The 28-year-old has three goals in 20 games with Dallas this season.
With Casey DeSmith (personal) returning from a brief leave of absence, Dallas has loaned Poirier back to Texas (AHL). The 24-year-old Poirier is having a decent season in the AHL for a poor Texas team, posting a 2.77 GAA and .903 SV% in 22 games (8-10-4).
Benn fell head-first into the ice after an awkward collision in Sunday's game against the Montreal Canadiens. The 36-year-old Benn spent some time gathering himself before leaving the ice without assistance. He has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 23 games this season.
The Stars ended the 2025 calendar year on a low note, losing 4-1 to the Buffalo Sabres last night and extending their losing streak to three games (0-1-2). The Stars still have the second-best record in the NHL, but have been trending in the wrong direction lately, going 4-3-2 in their last nine games. Oettinger will tend the twine on Thursday, looking to improve on his 2.51 GAA and .910 SV% through 25 games this season (16-6-3). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -173 road favorites against the Chicago Blackhawks, who defeated them 4-3 in a shootout last week.
Nathan Bastian was sent to Texas (AHL) for a conditioning stint, opening up a roster spot for Blackwell to re-enter the lineup. The 32-year-old Blackwell is averaging 11:43 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 35 games this season.
Ilya Lyubushkin (illness) will draw back into the Stars lineup on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres, resulting in Capobianco being a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Capobianco has four points (1G / 3A) in 19 games this season.
Lyubushkin has not play the Stars' previous two games, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old defenseman has seven points (1G / 6A) in 27 games. Kyle Capobianco will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Lyubushkin's return.
DeSmith has seen a steady dose of action lately and returns to the crease for the sixth time this month. The 34-year-old goalie has been excellent in a supporting role this season, but is coming off one of his weaker performances, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. DeSmith has a stellar 2.33 GAA and .915 SV% in 14 appearances this season (9-1-4). The Stars enter Wednesday's contest as -152 home favorites against the hottest team in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres, who are riding a nine-game winning streak.
DeSmith has seen a steady dose of action lately and returns to the crease for the sixth time this month. The 34-year-old goalie has been excellent in a supporting role this season, but is coming off one of his weaker performances, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. DeSmith has a stellar 2.33 GAA and .915 SV% in 14 appearances this season (9-1-4). The Stars enter Wednesday's contest as -152 home favorites against the hottest team in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres, who are riding a nine-game winning streak.
