Mavrik Bourque will return to the lineup from an upper-body injury, sending Blackwell to the press box as a healthy scratch against the Los Angeles Kings. Blackwell has two points (1G / 1A) in his last two games and has been an effective contributor from a fourth-line role this season. He has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 47 games.
Lyubushkin exited Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 10:47 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and will not play on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:58 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (0G / 11A), 82 blocks, an 62 hits in 53 games this season. Brendan Smith draws into the lineup as Lyubushkin's replacement.
Ilya Lyubushkin is battling an upper-body injury and will not play on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Smith to re-enter the lineup. The 35-year-old Smith is averaging 12:35 time-on-ice, recording three points (0G / 3A), and 31 hits in 22 games this season.
The Stars are coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, snapping a five-game winning streak, and will hope to return to the win column on Friday with Oettinger tending the twine against the Los Angeles Kings. Oettinger has played well lately, allowing three or fewer goals in nine straight (6-3-0), posting a solid .925 SV%. He has a 2.31 GAA and .912 SV% through 39 games this season (26-12-1). The Stars enter Friday's contest as slight -100 road underdogs against a Kings squad riding a two-game winning streak.
Bourque has not played since taking a puck to the face on Sunday but could return to action on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 23-year-old Bourque has started to find his game at the NHL level, with seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 14 games after only scoring seven (2G / 5A) in his first 33.
Lyubushkin exited Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 10:47 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:58 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (0G / 11A), 82 blocks, an 62 hits in 53 games this season.
Heiskanen exited last Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period with 19:50 time-on-ice after Mark Stone made contact with his knee in an awkward collision. Before his injury, Heiskanen had five points (0G / 5A) during a five-game point streak. His long-term absence is a crushing blow for a Stars club that he leads in ice-time (25:10). Thomas Harley has emerged at the quarterback on the Stars' top powerplay unit since Heiskanen has been sidelined.
With Mavrik Bourque (upper body) out of the lineup, Blackwell will return to the mix on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old Blackwell is averaging 11:37 time-on-ice and has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 46 games this season.
The Stars are riding a five-game winning streak and will turn to Oettinger between the pipes on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Oettinger has not needed to be spectacular lately, requiring only a .885 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). The 26-year-old American goalie has a 2.32 GAA and .912 SV% in 38 games this season (26-11-1). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -222 road favorites against a Ducks squad that defeated them 4-2 on November 18th.
Bourque was hit in the face with a puck in the third period on Sunday, leaving a pool of blood behind him before exiting the playing surface. Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer was optimistic after the game, indicating that the injury looked worse than it actually was and that Bourque will likely travel with the team on their upcoming six-game road trip. The 23-year-old Bourque has started to find his game at the NHL level, with seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 14 games after only scoring seven (2G / 5A) in his first 33.
Bourque was hit in the face with a puck in the third period on Sunday, leaving a pool of blood behind him before exiting the playing surface. Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer was optimistic after the game, indicating that the injury looked worse than it actually was and that Bourque will likely travel with the team on their upcoming six-game road trip. The 23-year-old Bourque has started to find his game at the NHL level, with seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 14 games after only scoring seven (2G / 5A) in his first 33.
Bourque was hit in the face with a puck in the third period, leaving a pool of blood behind him before exiting the playing surface. Dallas head coach Pete DeBoer was optimistic after the game, indicating that the injury looked worse than it actually was.
