Oettinger will look for his third straight win when he tends the twine on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. After a porous first start in his return from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury, allowing four goals on 36 shots (.889 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Nashville Predators, Oettinger has rebounded nicely, saving 51 of 53 shots faced (.962 SV%) over his last two games (2-0-0). The Stars are -129 road favourites against a Flyers club riding a four-game winning streak.

Smith was placed on the Injured Reserve retroactive to January 15th Thursday so that the Devils' could open up cap space to recall Santeria Hatakka. The 34-year-old Smith left New Jersey's game Monday vs. Boston due to a sprained right knee and will be forced to miss an extended period of time. He has five points (1G/4A) in 34 games played so far in 2023-24.

Smith exited the Devils' last game early in the first period after playing only 2:43 time-on-ice with a sprained knee. Before his injury, Smith had three points (1G / 2A) and a +7 plus/minus in his last eight games after recording only two points (0G / 2A) and a -5 in his first 26.

Oettinger struggled in his first game back from a four-week absence with a lower-body injury, allowing four goals on 36 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Nashville Predators, but was much better the following night, entering the game in relief of an injured Scott Wedgewood, saving 20 of 21 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Stars are -129 home favourites against a Los Angeles Kings team that ended an eight-game losing streak last night with a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes and historically fared well against Oettinger, getting the better end of the score in two of three contests.

Heiskanen will miss his sixth-straight game on Tuesday when the Stars host the Los Angeles Kings but could return in the coming days as he will travel with the team on their upcoming four-game road trip. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Expect Thomas Harley to continue his increased deployment and usage on the top powerplay while Heiskanen is out of the lineup.

Oettinger struggled in his first game back from a four-week absence with a lower-body injury, allowing four goals on 36 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Nashville Predators, but was much better the following night, entering the game in relief of an injured Scott Wedgewood, saving 20 of 21 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Stars are -129 home favourites against a Los Angeles Kings team that ended an eight-game losing streak last night with a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes and historically fared well against Oettinger, getting the better end of the score in two of three contests.

DeSmith will start for the second time in the last four games for the Canucks in an afternoon tilt in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. In his last outing, DeSmith saved 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders, improving to 7-3-2 with a 2.53 GAA and .913 SV% on the season.

Oettinger will make his first appearance in goal for the Stars since suffering a lower-body injury on December 15th. Dallas' number-one netminder was in the midst of a cold streak prior to the injury, losing three of his previous four starts and posting an .838 SV% over that stretch. He owns an 11-7-2 record on the season along with a .901 SV% and a 2.93 GAA. He draws a favourable matchup in his first game back with the Stars being -175 on the moneyline.

Its been four games since DeSmith last took over the Canucks' starting crease but he will draw the Islanders in New York Tuesday. The 32-year-old backup net-minder has expectedly done well in his first season with Vancouver, with his 6-3-2 record, 2.58 GAA and .917 SV%. He'll face New York on the road, who has lost three of their last four and are middle of the pack offensively averaging the 18th most goals per game in the NHL (3.08).

Heiskanen awkwardly collided with his goaltender Scott Wedgewood while backchecking and exited the game in the third period after playing only 14:38 time-on-ice. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Heiskanen's presence on the blue line will be sorely missed for the Stars, as he averages over 25 minutes per night. Expect Thomas Harley to see in an increase in deployment during Heiskanen's absence, including a role on the top powerplay unit.

Heiskanen played 14:38 TOI before departing Thursday's game vs. the Avalanche. He got hurt in a collision with Scott Wedgewood and makes him questionable to play Saturday vs. the Predators.

Lundkvist played three straight for the first time since November but will return to the press box as a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Joel Hanley to draw back into the lineup. During his three-game stretch, Lundkvist scored three points, fired four shots on goal, and registered a +3 plus/minus rating.

Oettinger has not played since exiting a contest against the Ottawa Senators on December 15th in the first period with an upper-body injury. Scott Wedgewood has taken the reigns in the Stars' crease during Oettinger's eight-game absence, helping the team go 5-2-1 in that stretch. With Oettinger's status being upgraded from week-to-week to day-to-day, his return is on the horizon, and he should return to seeing the bulk of action between the pipes for the Stars.

Lundkvist will play for only the second time in the last eight games for the Stars as he will re-enter the lineup in favour of Joel Hanley. Lundkvist, who was acquired by the Stars last offseason for a first-round pick, has failed to impress the Stars' coaching staff and establish himself as a permanent fixture in their lineup. He has seven points (0G / 7A), averaging 14:37 time-on-ice in 24 games this season.

In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.

In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will likely turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.

Lind will return to the AHL after making just one pointless appearance with the Kraken.