Dallas needs just one point to clinch the Western Conference in the final game of the regular season.
Thanks to a 4-1 victory by the Vancouver Canucks over the Calgary Flames Tuesday, the Western Conference title remains in doubt.
The Dallas Stars could put that doubt to rest Wednesday night when they host the St. Louis Blues at American Airlines Center Wednesday night. The Stars (51-21-9, 111 points), need just one point, and the West will be theirs.
Wednesday's game is the fourth and final meeting between the Blues and Stars this season. The two clubs kicked off the 2023-24 season in Dallas, with the Stars prevailing 2-1 in a shootout. The Stars are 1-1-1 in the season series, but have won three of the last four games played at American Airlines Center.
Dallas clinched the Central Division Saturday with a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken, earning their first division crown since 2015-16. They had a chance to secure the President's Trophy until the New York Rangers captured that honor with a win over the Ottawa Senators Monday night.
Stars captain Jamie Benn has done quite well against St. Louis over his career, posting 50 points (22-28-50) in 54 games against them. He also leads the club with seven power play goals and is tied for first with three game-winning goals against the Blues.
In the division-clinching win over Seattle Saturday, Jason Robertson reached the 80-point mark this season, becoming the third Stars player to register consecutive 80-point seasons. Only Benn (201415 and 2015-16) and Mike Modano (multiple times) have accomplished that feat.
Goalie Jake Oettinger is 3-1-0 against St. Louis over his career with a 1.48 goals-against average, .947 save percentage and a shutout, which came in the final game of the 2022-23 season after making 25 saves in a 1-0 victory.
Scott Wedgewood is 3-1-1 versus St. Louis over his career with a 2.21 GAA and .922 save percentage.
The Blues (43-33-5, 91 points) were eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend and will finish the season fifth in the Central Division. It's been a year of retooling for the Blues, who have 10 more points than last season, the fifth-best improvement in the NHL. Robert Thomas leads the team with 85 points (25-60-85), while Jordan Kyrou leads the way in goals with 31.
In two games against Dallas over his career, Blues netminder Jordan Binnington is 1-0-1 with a 1.92 GAA and 9.30 SV%. Backup goalie Joel Hofer won his only start over the Stars, a 2-1 decision back on December 27, 2023.
Things to Watch for:
- Stars forward Evgenii Dadonov, who has been out with a lower-body fracture since February 10, was activated from the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) list, and will see action Wednesday against the Blues. Tyler Seguin will be a healthy scratch.
- Jason Robertson is one goal away from the 30-goal mark. If he reaches it, he'll become the fourth active Stars player to record three consecutive 30-goal seasons.
- St. Louis has not allowed a power play goal to the Stars in their last four matchups, going a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty-kill. Dallas currently ranks fifth in the NHL with a 24.5% average on the power play.
Projected Lines:
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Duchene-Dadonov
Benn-Johnston-Stankoven
Steel-Faksa-Smith
Harley-Heiskanen
Lindell-Tanev
Suter-Lundkvist
Oettinger
Wedgewood
Jake Oettinger has been nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given each year to the NHL player who "best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."
This season, Oettinger continued his partnership with the Dallas Stars Foundation and Hope Kids, a nonprofit organization providing ongoing events and activities and a powerful, unique support community for families with children facing cancer and other life-threatening medical conditions.
Puck drop for Wednesday's game against St. Louis is at 8:30 PM CT, with the game being televised on TNT.
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