Trevor Zegras scored the decisive goal early in the third period, propelling the Anaheim Ducks to a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars and ending the Stars' five-game winning streak. John Gibson, in his 500th NHL game, made 26 saves, marking a significant milestone as the first goaltender in Ducks history to reach this mark. Cutter Gauthier also contributed a goal for Anaheim, which has now secured four consecutive victories at home. After Dallas' Colin Blackwell tied the game early in the third, Zegras redirected Alex Killorn's shot to regain the lead for the Ducks.

Gibson's achievement places him among elite company, as he becomes only the 10th American-born goalie to reach 500 games. He is now just four wins away from tying Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the most in franchise history. The Ducks have been formidable on home ice, outscoring their opponents 16-6 during their current winning streak. Meanwhile, Jake Oettinger of the Stars, who was previously undefeated against the Ducks, faced his first loss in nine games against them. Both teams will next face off in Los Angeles, with the Ducks aiming to extend their success.

The Philadelphia Flyers faced a disappointing home defeat, falling 4-1 to the Dallas Stars at Wells Fargo Center Thursday night. This loss marked the Flyers' fourth consecutive defeat and their ninth in the last twelve games.

Sam Ersson made his return to the net after a lower-body injury, making some notable saves. However, he conceded three goals from 19 shots, including two in the first period. Mavrik Bourque opened the scoring early, followed by Roope Hintz, who capitalized on a rebound.

Despite a brief resurgence in the third period, led by Morgan Frost's goal, it was not enough to swing the momentum. The Flyers struggled with shots on goal and power play opportunities, ultimately unable to overcome the Stars' offensive pressure.

The Dallas Stars have secured the future of rookie Oskar Bäck by signing him to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2026-27 season. General Manager Jim Nill announced the deal, which carries an average annual value of $825,000. Bäck, who has made a notable impact in his first three months in the NHL, has appeared in 31 games, contributing nine points with one goal and eight assists.

Since making his NHL debut on October 10 against Nashville, Bäck has demonstrated his reliability as a two-way forward and penalty killer on the Stars' fourth line. Standing at 6-4, his size has proven advantageous, and he has developed strong chemistry with fellow forwards Sam Steel and Colin Blackwell. Prior to joining the NHL, Bäck played three seasons with the Texas Stars, amassing 88 points in 196 AHL games.

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour has announced that defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere will be sidelined due to an upper-body injury, although the exact duration of his absence remains uncertain. In addition, forward Jack Drury has been placed on the injured reserve list, while defenseman Riley Stillman has been recalled to the roster. Drury did not participate in practice recently, and while he is eligible to return from IR, no updates on his condition have been provided.

In other league news, Colorado Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin is set to make his return to the ice tonight after being out for 16 games due to an upper-body injury. However, teammate Ivan Ivan will not be playing due to a similar ailment. The Columbus Blue Jackets have also reported that forward Yegor Chinakhov was absent from practice, raising concerns about his availability.

Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer stated that there is no significant update on forward Colin Blackwell, who may have suffered a broken nose. Meanwhile, Mason Marchment's recovery timeline is anticipated to align closely with that of Matt Dumba, who is nearing a return from his injury.

For the Florida Panthers, defenseman Niko Mikkola skated yesterday but remains out due to an upper-body issue. Coach Paul Maurice expressed confidence that Mikkola's injury is not chronic but rather a matter of pain tolerance. In Toronto, Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson missed practice due to illness, while star forward Auston Matthews will miss his fifth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Coach Craig Berube noted Matthews' participation in practice as a positive sign, even though he will not play in the upcoming game.

Lastly, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg was seen practicing in a no-contact jersey, taking shots on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, indicating progress in his recovery.

Roope Hintz led the Dallas Stars with his 15th goal, contributing to a 3-2 victory over Utah. The Stars broke a two-game losing streak with this win, showcasing aggressive defense and effective offense, especially in the second period.

Jamie Benn and Colin Blackwell also scored for Dallas, while Casey DeSmith made 24 saves. Utah struggled at home, managing only one win in December, despite goals from Kevin Stenlund and Barrett Hayton.