Dallas Stars News

After a miserable start to the season, outscoring 6-1 in their first two games (0-2-0), the Stars are coming off a 5-0 statement win over the San Jose Sharks and hope to carry that momentum into Thursday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old Oettinger stopped all 13 shots for his first shutout of the season, improving to a 1.01 GAA and .943 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as slight -114 road favourites against a 2-1-0 Buffalo Sabres team.

Kiviranta scored a goal in the Stars' previous game, a 5-0 win over the San Jose Sharks, but he was dinged up after blocking a shot. Head Coach Glen Gulutzan said Kiviranta will miss some time but is hopeful it will be only one week.

Through two games this season, the Stars have alternated between inserting Joel Kiviranta and Colin Blackwell into the lineup. The trend will continue Monday, with Blackwell returning to sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old Blackwell played 7:29 time-on-ice in his previous game.

Through two games this season, the Stars have alternated between inserting Joel Kiviranta and Colin Blackwell into the lineup. The trend will continue Monday, with Kiviranta returning against the San Jose Sharks. The 30-year-old Kiviranta averaged 10:18 time-on-ice and recorded two shots on goal in his only outing this season.

The Stars have gotten adequate play from Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith through two games this season, but they've amassed only one goal and are off to an unexpected 0-2-0 start. The 27-year-old Oettinger had a subpar 2025-26 season, posting a 2.59 GAA and .899 SV% through 54 games (35-12-6), but he was solid in his season opener, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) in an eventual 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Stars enter Monday's contest as -199 home favourites against a San Jose Sharks team that has scored nine goals through two games (2-0-0).

The Stars have complemented Oettinger with a strong backup in Casey DeSmith, easing the pressure of a heavy workload, but that translated into career-worst totals for Oettinger last season. The 27-year-old American goalie posted a 2.59 GAA and a subpar .899 SV% last season in 54 games (35-12-6). Oettinger should continue to pile up wins in 2026-27, with the Stars a strong team, but it's unclear whether he will challenge the league's best netminders with an improved save percentage. The Stars enter their season opener as -180 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues.

Duchene did not participate in training camp for the Stars due to a lower-body injury, and he will miss at least one week of the regular season after being placed on Injured Reserve. The 35-year-old veteran battled injury concerns last season, playing just 57 games while scoring 45 points (16G / 29A). The Stars will again rely heavily on Duchene's offensive contributions in 2026-27.

Dallas placed Blackwell on waivers before the start of the 2026-27 season to stay cap-compliant, but he has been recalled from Texas after clearing. The 33-year-old forward played a career-high 70 games with Dallas last season, scoring 15 points (4G / 11A).

Hyry was recalled by Dallas late in the 2025-26 season and made an immediate impact in their bottom six while excelling on the penalty kill and in the face-off circle. The 25-year-old Finnish forward has six points (3G / 3A) in 25 career NHL games.

Duchene is doubtful for the Stars' season opener vs. St. Louis after he had a setback from an earlier preseason upper-body injury and is back in Dallas' maintenance program. The 35-year-old missed 25 games last season due to injury but still managed a solid 16 goals and 45 points across 57 games played.

Dallas played it safe with their star goaltender on Wednesday, sitting Jake Oettinger due to lower-body tightness for their 2-0 preseason loss vs. Minnesota. The 27-year-old is entering his seventh NHL season and has 35+ wins in each of the last four seasons while taking the majority of the reps in the Stars' net.

Steel, entering the final year of a two-year, $4.2 million contract ($2.1M AAV), has received a four-year extension with the Dallas Stars worth $14.8 million ($3.7M AAV). The 27-year-old forward has been an effective depth contributor in his three seasons with Dallas and is coming off a career-high 33-point season (12G / 21A) in 73 games.

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2026-09-21T17:13:22.764Z

Blackwell needed assistance exiting the ice during practice on Saturday due to a lower-body injury, but he could return before the end of the preseason. The 33-year-old bottom-six forward played 70 games with Dallas in 2025-26, scoring 15 points (4G / 11A).