Dallas Stars goaltending headlines: Jake Oettinger unveiled a fierce otter mask with Godzilla vibes, while Casey DeSmith sported a dinosaur-themed lid inspired by his daughter’s T-Rex phase. The duo combined for a 2.71 GAA (6th) and .911 save percentage (4th) last season and are back for 2025-26, signaling stability for fantasy rosters. Expect a sustained workload with smart backups and measured risk on back-to-backs.

With the arena chatter in Dallas and no drastic goaltending shakeup on the horizon, fantasy managers should plan for a balanced 1A/1B approach. Track starts, travel, and rest windows to optimize streaming or a two-goalie core built around Oettinger’s volume and DeSmith’s late-turn potential.

Dallas Stars open training camp under new head coach Glen Gulutzan, blending veteran leadership with a wide, competitive group of forwards and defensemen. The camp image reel centers on Seguin and Benn anchoring the top lines, a bustling crease with Oettinger and DeSmith, and a wave of prospects—Robertson, Bourque, Shlaine, Hryckowian—pushing for NHL spots

Energy and structure define the sessions as players showcase speed, puck handling, and shot accuracy. The camp vibe hints at early-season conversations around lineup balance, special-teams roles, and how quickly the young talents can translate practice tempo into real-game impact.

The Dallas Stars' playoff run came to an abrupt end with a 6-3 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Goalie Jake Oettinger was yanked after allowing two goals on the first two shots he faced. Coach Peter DeBoer acknowledged the need for a change to spark the team's performance, as the Stars fell into a quick 2-0 deficit. Backup Casey DeSmith replaced Oettinger, but soon witnessed Jeff Skinner score, extending the Oilers' lead to 3-0.

Oettinger’s struggles against the Oilers were highlighted, as he lost six of seven games to Edmonton in two consecutive playoff exits. Despite a respectable postseason save percentage of .908 before this game, his early exit raised questions about the Stars' goaltending strategy in crucial moments. DeSmith managed to stop 17 of 20 shots but couldn't salvage the game. The Stars' defense has been a recurring issue, as they allowed the first goal in 15 of their 18 playoff games, sealing their fate against a formidable Oilers team.