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.
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).
Kiviranta has not played since October 16th, recovering from a lower-body injury, but is officially ready to return to the lineup after practicing on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Kiviranta had a career-high 23 points (16G / 7A) in 79 games last season.
Oettinger mishandled a puck that directly resulted in a goal in his most recent game, a 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders, and hopes to rebound on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old Oettinger has been inconsistent this season, posting a 2.77 GAA and .898 SV% in 14 games (8-4-2). The Stars have points in 12 of their last 14 (9-2-3) and enter Thursday's contest as -141 road favorites against a Canucks team that has scored 25 goals (4.17 GF/GP) in their last six games (2-2-2).
Oettinger mishandled a puck that directly resulted in a goal in his most recent game, a 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders, and hopes to rebound on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old Oettinger has been inconsistent this season, posting a 2.77 GAA and .898 SV% in 14 games (8-4-2). The Stars have points in 12 of their last 14 (9-2-3) and enter Thursday's contest as -141 road favorites against a Canucks team that has scored 25 goals (4.17 GF/GP) in their last six games (2-2-2).
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, and could return to the lineup in their upcoming four-game road trip. The 34-year-old Duchene led Dallas last season with 82 points (30G / 52A) in 82 games.
Benn suffered a collapsed lung after a hit during a preseason game and will make his season debut on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 36-year-old is entering his 17th NHL season and has only missed two games across the previous four years. In 2024-25, he had 16 goals, 49 points and 70 PIMs in 80 games played. He is expected to start the season on the Stars' fourth line and second powerplay unit.
The red-hot Stars have won five straight and will turn to Oettinger on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Oettinger has been inconsistent this season, but has strung together two solid performances (2-0-0), saving 47 of 50 combined shots (.940 SVV%). He has a 2.75 GAA and .900 SV% in 13 games this season (8-3-2). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -162 home favorites against an Islanders team that is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
