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.