Opening night sets the tone for 2025-26 with a tripleheader headlined by Florida as they raise the banner and host Connor Bedard’s Blackhawks; Crosby’s Penguins collide with the Rangers at MSG; and Makar leads Colorado into Los Angeles to face the Kings. Florida chases a three-peat while Kucherov eyes another 100-point season and Crosby and Ovechkin chase monumental milestones. Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics add an extra layer of star power and intrigue for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

The preview dives into offseason moves, breakout and veteran performance ceilings, and the evolving pace of NHL offense, plus the return of big-event spectacles and the shifting rosters that could shape fantasy value from opening night. It also spotlights rising talents and marquee matchups that could define early-season momentum and playoff positioning.

Dallas Stars topped the Blues 5-3 in a lively preseason tilt, improving to 4-1 in exhibition play. Early were Lyubushkin and Johnston for a 2-0 burst, though St. Louis answered with Holloway and Broberg. Faksa’s return goal against his old team helped Dallas reclaim the lead, with Seguin adding a goal and two assists and Robertson sealing it with an empty-netter. Dallas outshot 30-24 as DeSmith stopped 21 of 24 shots.

Stars lean on their high-end talent for 2025-26, adding Mikko Rantanen for a full season and leveraging Jason Robertson's contract/Olympic-year urgency. Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston and Mavrik Bourque are set to lift the offense, while Benn starts the year sidelined and Duchene chases Cup glory. Depth pieces like Sam Steel, Nathan Bastian and Radek Faksa must fill gaps after Marchment, Dadonov and Granlund departed.

Dallas Stars push their preseason run to 3-0, rolling to a 5-2 win over Minnesota and setting up a Saturday test against Colorado at Ball Arena. Wyatt Johnston supplied a two-goal outburst as Dallas showcases depth and scoring touch early, even as captain Jamie Benn faces surgery for a collapsed lung. The matchup against the Avalanche, a central-divison foe they knocked out of the playoffs last season, will be a key gauge of how Dallas translates exhibition success into regular-season impact.

With Benn sidelined for weeks, Dallas leans on its emerging depth and reliable veterans to fill minutes on a six-game preseason slate (three at home). The schedule tightens the evaluation window, and Johnston’s performance offers a clear signal for fantasy managers about potential early-season roles and PP exposure as lines are dialed in before October.

Dallas rode a third-period burst to stay undefeated in preseason, as five goals turned a 2-0 deficit into a 5-2 win over Minnesota. Wyatt Johnston scored twice and was supported by Bourque, Hryckowian and Kolyachonok, who each added goals to fuel the rally.

Dallas improves to 3-0 in the exhibition slate, and they'll visit Colorado next, ready to push for forward depth while keeping Johnston and the newer faces in the mix for regular-season roles.