Dallas Stars News

Oettinger picked up his second straight 32-save victory (.941 SV%) in Game 4 as he evened out the Stars' opening series last time out and will start Game 5 on Wednesday as expected. The 25-year-old had a down season as far as counting stats but has pulled it together in the playoffs and has a decent 2-2-0 record, 2.38 GAA and .907 SV% in four games played. He'll look to pick up the series first home victory and take a lead over Vegas as they host the Golden Knights for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Bichsel spent half the season with Rogle BK (SHL) after leaving Texas (AHL) earlier in the season but has returned and been reassigned to the Stars on Wednesday. The 19-year-old defensemen is Dallas' 2022 first round pick (18th overall).

Faksa appears to have suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 2 of the series and has now missed the last two games as a result. Largely relied on for his defensive prowess, Faksa still managed to tally seven goals and 12 assists across 74 games in the 2023-24 regular season.

The Stars will unsurprisingly be sticking with their number-one netminder after Oettinger guided the team to their first victory of the series in Game 3. Oettinger had a terrific game, stopping 32 of the 34 shots he faced before Wyatt Johnston won the game for Dallas in overtime. Oettinger has rebounded nicely from a disappointing effort in Game 1, allowing just four goals on 59 shots (.932 SV%) across the last two games. He and the Stars enter action on Monday as slight favourites at -125 despite being on the road.

With both Mason Marchment and Radek Faksa day-to-day, Mavrik Bourque has been recalled and will be used for Game 3 on Saturday if need be. The 22-year-old centre is coming off a sensational season with Texas (AHL) where he had 26 goals, 77 points and 32 PIMs in 71 games played.

Lyubushkin was away from the Maple Leafs on Friday due to the birth of his child but is expected to be ready to play on Saturday for Game 4 vs. Boston. The 30-year-old shutdown defenseman has played well since being acquired at the trade deadline and has one assist, one SOG, two PIMs, and a +2 plus/minus in the first three games of the playoffs.

Thatcher Demko will remain out of the lineup for at least one more game and as a result, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith between the pipes again in game three. DeSmith struggled in game two, his series debut, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%), in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, evening the series at 1-1. The Canucks enter action as +101 road underdogs on Friday.

The Stars will turn to Oettinger in game two as they look to rebound from a series-opening loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Oettinger had a forgettable opening game performance, allowing four goals on 15 shots (.733 SV%), all in the first 22 minutes of the contest in a 4-3 loss. The Stars enter action on Wednesday as -161 home favourites.

With the surprising news that Thatcher Demko (undisclosed) will not be available for game two, and possibly beyond, the Canucks will turn to DeSmith in the crease. DeSmith is familiar with the Canucks crease as he was their mainstay between the pipes for the latter part of the season as Demko missed most of the final month due to a knee injury. DeSmith had a 2.89 GAA and .895 SV% in 29 games this season (12-9-6). The Canucks enter game two against the Nashville Predators as -131 home favourites.

Seguin was in and out of the lineup for the final several weeks of the season for precautionary measures after returning from a substantial lower-body injury. He did not play in the final game of the regular season but will re-enter the Stars lineup for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Seguin enjoyed a bounce-back 2023-24 campaign, scoring 52 points (25G / 27A) in 68 games.

The Stars will turn to Oettinger between the pipes for their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Oettinger had a rough start to the season but was amongst the best goalies in the league for the final month, allowing two or fewer goals in 10 of eleven games (10-1-0), posting a sensational .941 SV%. The Stars enter action on Monday as -140 home favourites against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Erne drew into the Oilers' lineup for their season finale as the team rested several of their regulars but has been reassigned to the Bakersfield Condors (AHL). In 23 games with the Oilers this season, Erne recorded two points (1G / 1A).

Blackwell will get the chance to play once more this year as he draws into Chicago's lineup for their regular season finale. He enters tonight's contest with eight goals and four assists in 43 games.