Rantanen is in the final year of a six-year, $9.25M AAV deal and is seeking a massive new contract in the summer. Rantanen has tallied 25 goals and 39 assists (64 points) in 49 games this season, putting him on-pace for 42 goals and 65 assists (107 points). It would be the third consecutive 100-plus point season for the 28-year-old, who will likely slide onto the Hurricanes' top-line next to fellow countryman Sebastian Aho.

Oettinger will occupy Dallas' crease for a third consecutive game on Friday vs. Vegas as he tries to forget the 19-save (.895 SV%) loss he endured in his previous start vs. Carolina. The 26-year-old will look to continue his strong 2024-25 campaign, where he ranks 2nd among goalies in both Wins (23), and SV% (.914 SV%). He will host the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, who snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over St. Louis in their previous contest.

Bichsel was the 18th overall pick of the Stars in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring two points (2G / 0A) in eight games. The 20-year-old defenseman has six points (3G / 6A) in 28 games with the Texas Stars (AHL) this season.

Oettinger has only lost once since late December (7-1-0) and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 26-year-old Oettinger was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He has a 2.26 GAA and .914 SV% in 34 games this season (23-10-1). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as slight -112 home favorites against a Hurricanes squad that played last night and narrowly defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime.

Hintz has missed the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Hintz only has 27 points (19G / 8A) in 41 games this season but has been more productive lately, with 11 points (8G / 3A) in his last 14 contests.

Oettinger has only lost once since late December (7-1-0) and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 26-year-old Oettinger was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He has a 2.26 GAA and .914 SV% in 34 games this season (23-10-1). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as slight -112 home favorites against a Hurricanes squad that played last night and narrowly defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime.

Hintz exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an undisclosed injury early in the first period after only 2:27 time-on-ice. The Stars, already without top-six forwards Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, can ill-afford to lose Hintz's production for an extended period of time. The 28-year-old Hintz only has 27 points (19G / 8A) in 41 games this season but has been more productive lately, with 11 points (8G / 3A) in his last 14 games.

The red-hot Stars are 8-1-0 in their past nine games and will roll with Oettinger between the pipes on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Oettinger was excellent in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%). The 26-year-old netminder has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last six games (6-0-0), posting a stellar .930 SV%. The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -214 home favorites against a Canadiens club they defeated 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday.

Hintz exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an undisclosed injury early in the first period after only 2:27 time-on-ice. The Stars, already without top-six forwards Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, can ill-afford to lose Hintz's production. The 28-year-old Hintz only has 27 points (19G / 8A) in 41 games this season but has been more productive lately, with 11 points (8G / 3A) in his last 14 games.

The Stars season-best seven-game winning streak snapped in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, but Oettinger remains unbeaten in his last five games. Oettinger has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five (5-0-0), posting a stellar .923 SV%. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.35 GAA and .910 SV% in 31 games this season (21-9-1). He will hope for a better result against a Toronto Maple Leafs squad that beat him four times on 12 shots (.667 SV%) in a 5-3 loss on December 18th. The Stars enter the contest as -125 road favorites.

Nick DeSimone will make his Utah debut on Friday against the San Jose Sharks, replacing Kolyachonok. The 23-year-old Kolyachonok is averaging 12:20 time-on-ice, recording five points (2G / 3A), 19 blocks, and 14 hits in 23 games this season.

Faksa has missed 12 of the previous 13 games due to a lower-body injury but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Faksa is averaging 12:59 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 30 games this season.

Lyubushkin was limited to only 6:39 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the New York Rangers but will return to the ice on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:56 time-on-ice, recording eight points (0G / 8A), 61 blocks, and 46 hits in 39 games this season.

The Stars are riding a five-game winning streak and will turn to DeSmith between the pipes on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. DeSmith saved 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The 33-year-old DeSmith has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2.37 GAA and .911 SV% in 11 appearances (5-4-0). The Stars enter Thursday's action as -153 road favorites against a Flyers team amid a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Lyubushkin suffered the injury in the second period of Tuesday's game and did not make another appearance before being ruled out for the game. We should get an update on his status ahead of Dallas' game in Philadelphia on Thursday.