Duchene participated in the pre-game skate but was a last-minute scratch for the Stars. Duchene joins Miro Heiskanen, Jani Hakanpaa, and Evgeni Dadanov as lineup regulars sidelined on Monday afternoon. Sam Steel is expected to see increased offensive deployment, likely centring Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment during Duchene's absence.
With Nils Lundkvist experiencing concussion-like symptoms, Jani Hakanpaa suffering from an upper-body injury, and Miro Heiskanen away from the team for the birth of his child, the Dallas Stars have opted to recall defensemen Alex Petrovic and Derrick Pouliot from the Texas Stars. Petrovic has played 263 career NHL games, mainly with the Florida Panthers between the 2012-13 and 2018-19 seasons, but has played exclusively in the NHL since 2019-20. The 31-year-old Petrovic has 16 points (3G / 13A) in 44 games with Texas (AHL) this season.
Heiskanen did not travel with the Stars to Boston and remained in Dallas to be with his wife for the birth of his child. The Stars are also without Jani Hakanpaa (upper-body) and will see Alex Petrovic and Derrick Pouliot make their season debuts. Thomas Harley will likely see the greatest boost in playing time and offensive deployment on Monday with Heiskanen out of the lineup.
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Stars will turn to Oettinger for the fifth straight game. Oettinger saw his seven-game winning streak snap on Saturday when he allowed four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Before that contest, Oettinger was playing remarkably, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0) while posting a tremendous .944 SV%. That said, the Stars will be without Miro Heiskanen (personal) on Monday and are +121 road underdogs against the Boston Bruins.
DeSmith will start on Monday, his first appearance in five games. The 32-year-old DeSmith has been serviceable when called upon this season but is riding a three-game losing skid (0-0-3) and has allowed three or more goals in each contest while posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Canucks enter action as -125 road favourites against the Minnesota Wild.
With Nils Lundkvist experiencing concussion-like symptoms, the Dallas Stars have opted to recall defensemen Alex Petrovic and Derrick Pouliot from the Texas Stars. Petrovic has played 263 career NHL games, mainly with the Florida Panthers between the 2012-13 and 2018-19 seasons, but has played exclusively in the NHL since 2019-20. The 31-year-old Petrovic has 16 points (3G / 13A) in 44 games with Texas (AHL) this season.
Lundkvist suffered an upper-body injury early in Thursday's win in Nashville. Head coach Pete DeBoer said Lundkvist was dealing with concussion-like symptoms, so don't expect him to play Saturday afternoon. Expect Joel Hanley to replace him on the Stars' third pair.
Lundkvist exited Thursday's 9-2 win over the Nashville Predators with only 1:34 time-on-ice after being on the receiving end of a controversial hit from Jeremy Lauzon. The 23-year-old Lundkvist has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 43 games this season.
Oettinger is riding a six-game winning streak and will return to the crease for the third straight game on Thursday. The 25-year-old Oettinger has been tremendous since the All-Star break, allowing two or fewer goals in three games (3-0-0), and posting an outstanding .951 SV%. If Oettinger continues to play at this elite level, the Stars will be a force to be reckoned with down the stretch and into the playoffs. Dallas is a -151 road favourite against a Nashville Predators club that defeated them 6-3 last month.
Oettinger will start for the sixth time in the last seven games and attempt to extend his winning streak to six. After struggling for much of the season, Oettinger has strung together two excellent performances, allowing only three goals and saving 65 of his last 68 shots faced (.956 SV%). The Stars are slight -115 home favourites on Tuesday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that has won five of their last six (5-1-0).
Lundkvist has essentially been a staple on the Stars' back end all season but will head to the press box Wednesday as a healthy scratch for the second half of their back-to-back road trip games. The 23-year-old defenseman just played his 100th career game with Dallas and has been enjoying a productive third career season with two goals, 14 points, 56 SOG, and +6 plus/minus in 40 games this year.
After participating in his first All-Star game over the weekend, Oettinger will tend the twice for the Stars on Tuesday. Oettinger and the Stars are riding a three-game winning streak despite allowing three or more goals in each contest, posting an ugly .867 SV%. Oettinger has had a forgettable first half of the season, posting a 3.04 GAA and .900 SV% through 28 games (16-9-2) and will hope a mental reset from the All-Star break can help him return to elite form.
Lyubuskin has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. In his last three outings, Lyubushkin has a -4 plus/minus, one shot, and two hits.
The Ducks announced Lyubushkin's absence less than 15 minutes before puck drop, adding that he is day-to-day with the injury. Robert Hagg will draw into the lineup in his place.
