Cameron Hughes will exit the Stars lineup on Thursday, as the team will welcome Capobianco back into the lineup and go with an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Thursday. The 28-year-old Capobianco has not played since early Februrary. He has five points (2G / 3A) in 31 games this season.
Hughes made his Dallas Stars debut in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, his third career game, but he will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. Defenseman Kyle Capobianco will enter the lineup as Hughes' replacement, suggesting the Stars intend on using an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Thursday.
The Stars have followed up a franchise-best 15-game point streak (14-0-1) by losing seven of their last nine (2-5-2). Oettinger, who was nearly unbeatable to start March, posting a stellar 1.80 GAA and seven games (5-0-2), has mimicked his team's decline by ending March with a dreadful 4.01 GAA and .806 SV% in his last four appearances (1-2-0). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -159 home favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has won four of their last five (4-1-0) to stay within contention of a Wild Card spot.
The Stars have followed up a franchise-best 15-game point streak (14-0-1) by losing seven of their last nine (2-5-2). Oettinger, who was nearly unbeatable to start March, posting a stellar 1.80 GAA and seven games (5-0-2), has mimicked his team's decline by ending March with a dreadful 4.01 GAA and .806 SV% in his last four appearances (1-2-0). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -159 home favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has won four of their last five (4-1-0) to stay within contention of a Wild Card spot.
Myers briefly exited Dallas' previous game due to an injury but returned shortly after. That said, he will not play on Tuesday, allowing Ilya Lyubushkin to re-enter the lineup. The 36-year-old Myers has two assists in 11 games since joining the Stars at the trade deadline.
With Michael Bunting (lower body) out of the lineup, Hughes will draw in for his team debut. Hughes was a sixth-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft that has spent most of his career in the AHL. The 29-year-old forward has an impressive 66 points (16G / 50A) in 63 games this season with the Texas Stars (AHL).
Oettinger was lightly tested in his previous game, allowing three goals on 12 shots (.750 SV%), but was victorious in a 6-3 contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 27-year-old Oettinger has a 2.31 GAA and .906 SV% in 10 March appearances (6-1-2), and a win on Tuesday would make March the winningest month of the season for him. The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -128 road favourites against a Boston Bruins team that is 5-1-0 in their last six games.
Hughes was a sixth-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft that has spent most of his career in the AHL. The 29-year-old forward has an impressive 66 points (16G / 50A) in 63 games this season with the Texas Stars (AHL).
Rantanen did not play in Finland's Bronze Medal victory over Slovakia at the Olympics and has been sidelined since the NHL resumed action. Rantanen has missed the last 15 games, but could return to the lineup as soon as Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Before his injury, the 29-year-old was having an outstanding first full season with the Stars, scoring 69 points (20G / 49A) in 54 games.
Steel exited Thursday's 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders in the third period due to a lower-body injury. Stars' Head Coach Glen Gulutzan said that Steel felt better on Friday, but he is still being evaluated for what is likely a groin injury. The 28-year-old Steel has a career-high 33 points (12G / 21A) in 72 games this season.
Oettinger only lasted one period in the Stars' previous game, being relieved by Casey DeSmith after allowing four goals on eight shots (.500 SV%) in an eventual 6-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils. That said, before that poor performance, the 27-year-old Oettinger was on an excellent run, posting a dazzling 1.81 GAA and .930 SV% in eight games (6-0-2). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -125 road favourites against the New York Islanders, who have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0).
Oettinger only lasted one period in the Stars' previous game, being relieved by Casey DeSmith after allowing four goals on eight shots (.500 SV%) in an eventual 6-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils. That said, before that poor performance, the 27-year-old Oettinger was on an excellent run, posting a dazzling 1.81 GAA and .930 SV% in eight games (6-0-2). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -125 road favourites against the New York Islanders, who have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0).
Minnetian was a fourth-round pick of the Dallas Stars that just completed his third year of collegiate hockey. The 21-year-old defenseman scored 11 points (2G / 9A) in 36 games this season with Boston College.
