The Stars are among the league's hottest teams, collecting points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1), and will turn to Oettinger between the pipes on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Oettinger saved 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.37 GAA and .912 SV% in 41 games this season (27-12-2). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -172 road favorites against a Blue Jackets team they defeated 5-3 on February 2nd.

Bichsel exited Sunday's 4-3 win over the New York Islanders with only 9:00 time-on-ice after receiving a hit from Casey Cizikas, who was issued a five-minute major penalty on the play. The 20-year-old Bichsel has already established himself as a staple on the Stars blueline this season, averaging 15:04 time-on-ice and recording five points (2G / 3A) in 18 contests.

Steel is in his second season in Dallas and has earned himself a two-year contract extension worth $4.2 million ($2.1M AAV) after collecting four goals and 17 points in 53 games played this season. The 27-year-old has spent most of 2024-25 in Dallas' bottom six but still averages 14:45 TOI per game this season.

Rantanen's injury is not believed to be serious, according to Carolina's Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour, but his 4 Nations status is still up in the air. Rantanen missed his first game ever as a member of the Hurricane's on Saturday due to a lower-body injury.

Bourque has not played since taking a puck to the face on Sunday but willreturn 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. Colin Blackwell will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Bourque's return to the lineup.

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.