The Dallas Stars are in a tight crunch as they navigate the cap space following the recent extension of Matt Duchene. With just $455,000 left to fill five roster spots, the situation necessitated the trade of Mason Marchment to the Seattle Kraken, freeing up cap space but still leaving the Stars with barely enough to sign one minimum player. Heading into free agency on July 1, the Stars will have to be strategic about signing their restricted and unrestricted free agents.

As several key players like Jamie Benn, Evgenii Dadonov, and Mikael Granlund face uncertain futures, general manager Jim Nill must consider trades and buyouts to rebuild the roster effectively. Potential buyout candidates include Matt Dumba, whose performance has not met expectations, and Ilya Lyubushkin, who offers valuable penalty-killing skills. With the NHL salary cap expected to rise significantly in the upcoming years, the decisions made now could shape the team's future.

Nathan MacKinnon shined in the Avalanche's playoff opener, despite taking a high stick to the face. He contributed to two of Colorado's peculiar goals, ultimately sealing the match with an empty-netter, marking his 50th career playoff goal. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made a strong debut with 23 saves, helping the Avalanche secure a 5-1 victory against the Dallas Stars.

The second period saw Colorado take control with two critical goals, the first being a deflection off Ilya Lyubushkin that slipped past Jake Oettinger. MacKinnon assisted on Artturi Lehkonen's goal, which was reviewed but ruled legal. The Stars, now facing an 0-7 series opener record under coach Pete DeBoer, must regroup before the next game.

Jim Nill, the General Manager of the Dallas Stars, provided a thorough overview of the team's current situation as they prepare for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off tournament. Acknowledging the challenges posed by injuries, he confirmed that Ilya Lyubushkin's condition is not concerning and that he simply needs rest. Miro Heiskanen, who recently underwent surgery, is on a month-by-month rehabilitation schedule, and Nill expressed cautious optimism about his recovery. The Stars remain competitive despite numerous rookies stepping into significant roles.

Nill also discussed potential moves as the trade deadline approaches, indicating that any changes would likely happen closer to the March 7 deadline, contingent on the status of player injuries and team performance. He emphasized the pride he feels in how coaches and players have adapted to adversity, maintaining a strong competitive spirit despite the circumstances. The team stands at equivalent points compared to last year's successful season, showing resilience and depth, particularly from younger players.

The Dallas Stars achieved a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the New York Rangers, rallying from a three-goal deficit. Stars captain Jamie Benn scored the decisive goal in the extra period, marking the team's fifth consecutive win.

This season, the Stars have excelled in overtime situations, winning four times in such scenarios, which is a stark improvement from their struggles under head coach Pete DeBoer in his first year. DeBoer acknowledged the team's poor overtime record during that season and emphasized a focused effort to enhance their performance in these high-pressure moments.

Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm is back on the ice after being sidelined since mid-November due to a lower-body injury, but coach Joe Sacco has not provided a timeline for his return. In contrast, Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary exited the game with a lower-body injury, and his status remains unclear after the game. Other injury updates reveal that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan and Dallas Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin also left their respective games with injuries, with no specific updates available.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings' Jeff Petry is not expected to skate soon, indicating a longer recovery. In more injury news, Nashville Predators forwards Steven Stamkos and Luke Evangelista both sustained lower-body injuries in the second period. New York Rangers forward Filip Chytil also left his game due to an upper-body issue, while Chris Kreider has been placed on IR with a similar injury. The Ottawa Senators announced that Jacob Bernard-Docker will be sidelined with a high ankle sprain, and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin missed his last game due to an upper-body injury.