Dallas resumes NHL action with a six-game winning streak and a chance to climb the division standings.

DALLAS — The puck drops tonight for the first time since the 2026 Winter Olympics ended Sunday, with the Dallas Stars among 16 teams returning to NHL action. Their opponent is the Seattle Kraken.

Several Olympians are back in Dallas, including American Jake Oettinger, Canadian Thomas Harley and Finns Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell. Oettinger and Team USA captured gold in an overtime thriller against Harley and Canada on Sunday morning, while Finland defeated Slovakia to claim bronze.

Now, the focus shifts quickly from international glory to the playoff race.


Every game matters

The Stars enter Wednesday night riding a six-game winning streak. In a tight Central Division, every point carries weight.

Six points separate Dallas, which sits third in the division, from the Colorado Avalanche at the top. The Stars have played two more games than Colorado, limiting their margin for error in the standings. The Minnesota Wild is one point ahead of Dallas, though it has played one more game.

If the Stars win and Minnesota loses its next game, Dallas would gain the edge in both points and games played — another twist in a season that has seen the two teams frequently swap second and third place.

All three Central contenders are over .500 and lead the Western Conference with at least 34 wins. Minnesota entered the Olympic break on a six-game winning streak. Dallas had won five straight before the pause. Colorado, one of the league’s strongest teams this season, is 4-5-1 in its past 10 games.

Captain Jamie Benn and the Stars have a clear opportunity in front of them: make a push for the Central Division title. It starts Wednesday night in Dallas.


Rantanen’s absence

Replacing elite scoring is never simple.

Rantanen, one of Finland’s most dangerous offensive weapons, is expected to miss at least two weeks with an injury suffered during the Olympics, according to ESPN.

Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said Rantanen should return well before the end of the regular season.

“It won’t be one or two games. Let’s start at two weeks and see where it goes from there,” Gulutzan told ESPN. “So he’ll be out for some time.”

Gulutzan declined to specify the injury. Rantanen was hurt during the Olympic semifinals and did not play in Finland’s bronze-medal victory against Slovakia.


Inside the net

Oettinger remains Dallas’ No. 1 goaltender, but backup Casey DeSmith could draw the start Wednesday against Seattle.

Oettinger ranks third among NHL goaltenders with 23 wins this season. He carries a 2.37 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage in 37 games. His career marks — a 2.55 goals-against average and .910 save percentage — are slightly stronger than his current numbers.

How Gulutzan manages Oettinger’s workload down the stretch could prove critical. Under former coach Pete DeBoer, Oettinger appeared in 62 games in 2022-23, 54 in 2023-24 and 58 in 2024-25.

With 25 games remaining and the Stars comfortably above the wild-card line, a more balanced rotation may be considered. DeSmith has played 25 games this season, posting an 11-4-5 record with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.

After three deep playoff runs, the Stars are aiming to break through the third round and reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2020. The push resumes tonight.