Here are the key storylines surrounding the Dallas Stars as they head into the final stretch of the season, along with their schedule for the upcoming week of April 6-13, 2026.
Playoff Positioning & The Central Division
Following a hard-fought 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on April 4, the Stars are virtually locked out of catching Colorado for the top spot in the Central Division.
Head coach Glen Gulutzan has publicly stressed the team’s need to “manufacture offense” after being shut out in that tight, playoff-style matchup.
Late-Season Injury Bug
Dallas’ forward depth is currently being tested by a wave of injuries. Key players, including Michael Bunting (lower-body), Roope Hintz (lower-body), Radek Faksa, Sam Steel, and defenseman Tyler Myers, have been sidelined. Coach Gulutzan remains optimistic that Dallas will have its “complete lineup” available by the regular season’s final game.
Roster Call-Ups & Rookie Milestones
To patch the holes left by injuries, Dallas recalled forward Cameron Hughes from the American Hockey League (AHL) Texas Stars, who just made his Dallas debut. On a brighter note, rookie Arttu Hyry recently scored his first career NHL goal after being called up.
Jim Nill’s Extension
General manager (GM) Jim Nill was just rewarded with a two-year contract extension, keeping him in Dallas through the 2027–28 season. The extension officially shuts down rumors that he might leave for the open GM position with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Stars Upcoming Schedule
The Stars have a busy week ahead to wrap up their regular season. They will play a crucial three-game homestand to regain momentum before hitting the road for their final Eastern Conference matchups.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (EDT) |
| Tue, Apr. 7 | Calgary Flames | American Airlines Center (Home) | 8:00 PM |
| Thu, Apr. 9 | Minnesota Wild | American Airlines Center (Home) | 9:00 PM |
| Sat, Apr. 11 | New York Rangers | American Airlines Center (Home) | 5:00 PM |
| Mon, Apr. 13 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Scotiabank Arena (Away) | 7:30 PM |
AI tools were used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
