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Dallas Stars News

Blackwell will draw back into Dallas' lineup vs. Buffalo on Wednesday.

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.

Colin Blackwell
Lyubushkin (illness) will draw back into Dallas' lineup vs. Buffalo on Wednesday.

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.

Ilya Lyubushkin
DeSmith will start vs. Buffalo on Wednesday.

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.

Casey DeSmith
DeSmith is in the starter's crease at Dallas' morning skate.

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.

Casey DeSmith
Oettinger will start Saturday vs. the Blackhawks.

Oettinger allowed a single goal on 28 shots in the Stars' 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs last Sunday. Oettinger has been absolutely terrific in December, going 5-2-0 with a 1.86 GAA, .933 SV% and one shutout. He's an obvious must-start on Saturday as the Stars host a banged-up Blackhawks team as massive home favourites. Oettinger has the highest implied win% (75.8%) and lowest implied goals against (2.0) on the 13-game slate.

Jake Oettinger
Blackwell will be a healthy scratch in Detroit on Tuesday.

Adam Erne will draw back into the Stars' lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, resulting in Blackwell being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Blackwell is averaging 11:43 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 35 games this season.

Colin Blackwell
Erne will draw back into Dallas' lineup on Tuesday in Detroit.

Colin Blackwell will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, allowing Erne to re-enter the lineup against his former team. The 30-year-old Erne has been effective in a fourth-line role for the Stars this season, scoring four points (3G / 1A) in 15 games.

Adam Erne
DeSmith will start in Detroit on Tuesday.

DeSmith has deservedly seen an increase in playing time lately and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings for his sixth start in the Stars' last 13 games. The 34-year-old DeSmith has been outstanding for Dallas this season, posting a 2.20 GAA and .920 SV% in 13 games (9-1-3). He is coming off just his second sub- .900 SV% outing, but still recorded a victory, saving 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%) in an 8-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -124 road favorites against a Red Wings team that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).

Casey DeSmith
Erne (lower-body) will return to Dallas' lineup vs. Anaheim on Friday.

Erne has been sidelined for nearly six weeks, recovering from a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Erne has three points (2G / 1A) in 14 games this season. Colin Blackwell will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Erne's return.

Adam Erne
Blackwell will be a healthy scratch in Anaheim on Friday.

Blackwell has played all but one game this season, but will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 32-year-old forward has seven points (2G / 5A) in 34 games this season. Adam Erne will return from a lower-body injury and draw into the lineup as Blackwell's replacement.

Colin Blackwell
DeSmith will start in Anaheim on Friday.

The Stars are coming off a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks last night and will turn to DeSmith to tend the twine on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 34-year-old DeSmith has been outstanding in a supporting role for the Stars this season, posting a 2.13 GAA and .923 SV% in 12 games (8-1-3). He has an elite 1.65 GAA and .944 SV% in his last eight games (6-0-2). The Stars enter Friday's contest as slight -110 road favourites against a Ducks team that is 5-4-1 in their last 10.

Casey DeSmith