Dominant goaltending from Casey DeSmith and a heavy dose of top prospects fueled back-to-back victories as Dallas showcased its depth against a familiar Central Division rival.
The Dallas Stars kicked off their 2026-27 preseason schedule this past Sunday and Monday with a pair of exhibition wins over division rival St. Louis, using the home-and-home set to get extended looks at everyone from top prospects to franchise cornerstones.
Sunday's opener leaned heavily on AHL Texas talent, with only a handful of NHL regulars sprinkled into the lineup. Arttu Hyry scored the game's opening goal in the first period, while Kyle Capobianco was a steady presence on the back end throughout.
The night also offered an early look at 2024 first-round pick Emil Hemming, who logged a sizable role for a prospect, playing roughly 16 and a half minutes and finishing at minus-one with two shots on goal. In net, standout Texas netminder Remi Poirier was sharp to start, stopping 11 of 12 shots before giving way to newly added depth goaltender Brandon Halverson, who turned aside all 12 shots he faced the rest of the way. Halverson after the game was placed on waivers Tuesday but will likely remain with the franchise and with Poirier as the likely goaltending duo in AHL Texas this upcoming season.
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Texas Stars forward Jack Becker, coming off a 40-point season in 71 AHL games last year, provided the eventual game-winner, burying an unassisted goal late in the second period to give Dallas a 2-1 win.
Monday's rematch featured a much different look, with several NHL regulars making their preseason debuts, including Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, Mikko Rantanen, Thomas Harley, Nils Lundkvist and Casey DeSmith.
Hemming was one of the few holdovers from the night before, seeing reduced ice time at under 16 minutes but more total shifts at 17, and continued to see power play usage across both games, finishing with one shot on goal. DeSmith, entering the season in a contract year, was the standout performer of the night, stopping 30 of 31 shots he faced.
Dallas' NHL regulars made their presence felt immediately, combining for both of the team's goals, with each coming from the back end. Harley opened the scoring off a Robertson assist to get Dallas on the board early, while Lundkvist added an insurance goal in the third period, assisted by Rantanen and Dylan Hryckowian, brother of last season's breakout performer Justin Hryckowian. The Stars held on for a second straight 2-1 victory.
Dallas will continue its preseason slate with another home-and-home set, this time against the Minnesota Wild, starting Wednesday before the second leg on the road Friday.
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