Evgenii Dadonov starred with a goal and an assist as the Dallas Stars defeated the St. Louis Blues 2-0. Casey DeSmith contributed with 33 saves, marking his second shutout of the season. Esa Lindell scored on a power play, adding to the Stars' impressive performance, which included their seventh win in nine road games. Dadonov's goal came after St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington lost his stick, while Lindell's goal followed a well-executed one-timer from Roope Hintz. The Blues struggled offensively, hitting the post twice and managing just 17 shots on goal against a solid Dallas defense.

The Stars' recent surge is notable given their earlier struggles on the road this season, where they lost eight of their first twelve games. Currently, they are poised for a rematch against the Vegas Golden Knights, while the Blues aim to regroup against the Vancouver Canucks.

Evgenii Dadonov led the Dallas Stars to a decisive 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, contributing a goal and an assist. Casey DeSmith delivered a stellar performance in goal, achieving his second shutout of the season with 33 saves. The Stars, who have now won seven of their last nine road games, took control early when Dadonov scored at 7:07 in the first period, capitalizing on an error from Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, who lost his stick.

Esa Lindell doubled the Stars' lead with a power-play goal later in the first period, set up by Roope Hintz. The Blues struggled to find the back of the net, managing only 19 shots on goal throughout the game. Despite several close calls, including a near-goal from Mathieu Joseph that hit the post, the Blues were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Dallas now prepares for a rematch against the Golden Knights, while the Blues look to regroup before facing Vancouver.

The NHL's goaltending landscape is seeing significant changes, particularly with the way teams manage their starters and backups. The Dallas Stars are likely to start Jake Oettinger for their upcoming game against the Carolina Hurricanes, while backup Casey DeSmith has started in previous games without clear outcomes. The relationship between backup goaltender confirmations and betting lines is complex, influenced not just by the skill level of the goalie but also the timing of the announcement, the opposition's lineup, and market sentiment.

DeSmith's performance has seen varied impacts on betting lines throughout the season. For instance, his first start saw the Stars open as -200 favorites but close at -170 after a shutout. However, subsequent struggles against teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks raised concerns among bettors, leading to declines in confidence and line movement for his starts. Overall, the Stars' success with DeSmith is mixed, raising questions about betting strategies when he is confirmed as the starter.

The Colorado Avalanche showcased a dominant performance against the Dallas Stars, winning 6-3. Artturi Lehkonen starred with two goals and two assists, while Cale Makar netted two goals, including his 100th career goal. Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt contributed significantly with a goal and two assists each. The Avalanche improved to 10-3-1 in their last 14 games, tying for third in the Central Division.

For the Stars, Jason Robertson shone with two goals and an assist. Despite a strong start with Matt Duchene scoring first, they struggled to keep pace and suffered their third loss in four games. A crucial moment occurred when a Dallas goal was overturned, allowing Colorado's Drouin to extend the lead late in the second period.

The Montreal Canadiens prepare for a rematch against the Dallas Stars after a narrow defeat in their last encounter, which halted their three-game winning streak. The matchup will see the Canadiens aiming for revenge as they face the Stars once more just days later. While no practice was held due to travel, speculation surrounds who will start in goal, with Jakub Dobes potentially taking the lead for the Canadiens.

Sam Montembeault's past encounters with Dallas provide a contrasting backdrop, showcasing his mixed success against them. On the other end, the Stars will likely choose between Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith, both of whom have been performing well in their recent games. With key players like Patrik Laine and Nick Suzuki shining for the Canadiens, this game is set to be a captivating battle as the two teams meet for the 145th time, with Montreal holding a favorable historical record.