Benn suffered a collapsed lung after a hit during a preseason game and will make his season debut on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 36-year-old is entering his 17th NHL season and has only missed two games across the previous four years. In 2024-25, he had 16 goals, 49 points and 70 PIMs in 80 games played. He is expected to start the season on the Stars' fourth line and second powerplay unit.
The red-hot Stars have won five straight and will turn to Oettinger on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Oettinger has been inconsistent this season, but has strung together two solid performances (2-0-0), saving 47 of 50 combined shots (.940 SVV%). He has a 2.75 GAA and .900 SV% in 13 games this season (8-3-2). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -162 home favorites against an Islanders team that is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
With Adam Erne (lower body) out week-to-week, Bastian will draw back into the lineup for the first time since November 4th. The 27-year-old Bastian has one goal and 30 hits in 13 games this season.
DeSmith has played three of six games for the Stars in November and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 34-year-old DeSmith has been excellent lately, helping the Stars collect at least a point in four straight outings (3-0-1), posting a solid 2.30 GAA and .918 SV%. The Stars have points in 10 of their last 11 (7-1-3) and enter the action on Thursday as slight +107 road underdogs against a Canadiens team coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
Erne was injured in the third period of the Stars' 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, exiting the game with 8:36 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Erne has been an effective fourth-line player for the Stars, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in 14 games this season.
The Stars are an impressive 6-1-3 in their last 10 games, but have not received top-tier goaltending from Oettinger in recent contests. The 26-year-old goalie has allowed 10 goals on 45 combined shots (.778 SV%) in his last two games (1-1-0). He has a 2.99 GAA, .893 SV%, and one shutout in 11 games this season (6-3-2). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as +109 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators team that is 5-2-1 at home this season.
Blackwell did not finish Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, exiting the game late in the third period after block a shot. The 32-year-old Blackwell has one point (0G / 1A) in 14 games this season.
